<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Biofertilizers and biopesticides (together known as ‘biologicals’) hold the potential to increase farmers’ current agricultural productivity, while at the same time contributing to the soil’s ability to produce more in the future. However, the legal registration of microbial products and the operation of businesses dealing in biologicals face certain barriers, which ultimately affect the expansion and widespread use of these green products in Indian agriculture. By involving manufacturers, suppliers and traders of biologicals, as well as government officers dealing with biologicals in India, a study was conducted using participatory methods of semi-structured interviews, structured interviews and informal discussions. This article explores the participants’ perceptions and understanding of the barriers, obstacles and issues in the registration, licensing, proliferation and business operations surrounding the manufacturing, sale, trade, import, export, storage, use, and transport of microbial products. Numerous barriers to business and trade in microbial green products – biofertilizers and biopesticides – are identified. Nevertheless, certain weaknesses related to quality compliance and monitoring are also identified on the part of the manufacturers and suppliers of these biologicals, indicating that the government’s regulatory system must be more efficient and competent in handling these processes.</p></abstract>

Biofertilizers and biopesticides (together known as ‘biologicals’) hold the potential to increase farmers’ current agricultural productivity, while at the same time contributing to the soil’s ability to produce more in the future. However, the legal registration of microbial products and the operation of businesses dealing in biologicals face certain barriers, which ultimately affect the expansion and widespread use of these green products in Indian agriculture. By involving manufacturers, suppliers and traders of biologicals, as well as government officers dealing with biologicals in India, a study was conducted using participatory methods of semi-structured interviews, structured interviews and informal discussions. This article explores the participants’ perceptions and understanding of the barriers, obstacles and issues in the registration, licensing, proliferation and business operations surrounding the manufacturing, sale, trade, import, export, storage, use, and transport of microbial products. Numerous barriers to business and trade in microbial green products – biofertilizers and biopesticides – are identified. Nevertheless, certain weaknesses related to quality compliance and monitoring are also identified on the part of the manufacturers and suppliers of these biologicals, indicating that the government’s regulatory system must be more efficient and competent in handling these processes.

Legal Barriers and Quality Compliance in the Business of Biofertilizers and Biopesticides in India

Université de Montréal; CISDL, McGill University Faculty of Law, Montreal (Quebec)

Journal of Legal Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Biofertilizers and biopesticides (together known as ‘biologicals’) hold the potential to increase farmers’ current agricultural productivity, while at the same...

Legal Barriers and Quality Compliance in the Business of Biofertilizers and Biopesticides in India

Published Online: Nov 07, 2020

Page range: 81 - 101

Received: Sep 01, 2020

Accepted: Oct 01, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jles-2020-0013

Keywords
Registration barrier, Biopesticides, Biofertilizers, License, Quality monitoring, Effectiveness

© 2020 Hasrat Arjjumend et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Legal Barriers and Quality Compliance in the Business of Biofertilizers and Biopesticides in India

Published Online: Nov 07, 2020

Page range: 81 - 101

Received: Sep 01, 2020

Accepted: Oct 01, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jles-2020-0013

KeywordsRegistration barrier, Biopesticides, Biofertilizers, License, Quality monitoring, Effectiveness

© 2020 Hasrat Arjjumend et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
Registration barrier, Biopesticides, Biofertilizers, License, Quality monitoring, Effectiveness