Seaweed based Agri Regulatory Norms in India 

About the speaker: 

Vipin Saini, is a Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Paralegal, Educationalist, Environmentalist, Toxicologist, Data analyst, Writer & Publisher, Historian, Philanthropist and Humanitarian, with a combined experience of >30 years in the field of biosciences and related regulatory aspects related to National and International norms, Policy framing, Market Research, Business Intelligence, and Corporate Social Responsibility. Published >50 books/Booklets & Workbooks.

He is a M.Sc. Zoology (Entomology), and LLM (Pro) in Intellectual Property from National Law University, New Delhi.

Mr. Saini is currently the CEO - Biological Agri Solutions Association of India (BASAI). A member of various government department committees/ sub-committees and Industry Associations, including being a part of the Doubling Farmers Income Inter-Ministerial Committee, Member of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Food and Agriculture Division 1 (FAD 1) and Convenor/Member of various Panels of FAD1.

Member of the Sectoral Expert Committee (SEC) on Biomanufacturing, Sector: Climate Change Resilient Agriculture, Sub-sector: Agri-Biologicals [Department of Biotechnology] GOI

Recipient of the award for Excellence in Print Media (Agri Journalism) during the Progressive Agri Leadership Summit-2021 in December 2021, awarded by the Agri Business Summit & Awards (ABSA 2023) for the Leader with Strategic Vision-Regulatory Affairs on April 26, 2023 at Hyderabad, and awarded the Outstanding Professional Award during the 15th Agriculture Leadership Conclave 2024 in New Delhi on July 11, 20’24.

Currently, actively involved in the implementation of the Biostimulant Regulations especially the seaweed based biostimulants apart from promoting Biological Agri-inputs for Sustainable Agriculture and reduction of chemical based agri-inputs, in order to promote organic and natural farming apart from taking forward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and the recommendations of the Doubling of Farmer’s Income Report issued by DAC&FW.

Organisation:

Biological Agri Solutions Association of India (BASAI), is a ‘Not for Profit’ organization registered u/s 8 of The Companies Act has been established w.e.f. 13 June 2019. BASAI currently represents 25 corporate members, apart from a number of farmer associations, CRO’s of National and International repute to address various issues being faced by the BioAgri Input Industry in the country and around the globe.

Presently, they now have well defined legislative measures like the Insecticides Act 1968 & the Fertilizer Control Order 1985 for regulating Crop protection, Fertilizers and Biostimulants. The latter being regulated under the FCO 1985 since Feb. 23, 2021 and currently in its implementation stage.

Given the myriad challenges, the BASAI has been formed to organize the industry players to collectively address the need for awareness, knowledge dissemination and most importantly regulatory issues pertaining to the biologicals in the agriculture sector. The goal also is that all Agchem, Seeds & Fertilizer associations and their members who are engaged in bioproducts, support BASAI as the apex body for all BioAgriculture Input related need & requirements.

The Broad Objectives & Vision of BASAI: 

1. To be a purposeful and ethical voice of the Biological agri-input sector of the industry

2. To be a responsible representative to the Government in all matters concerning regulatory compliance of products

3. To work closely with the Govt. authorities to ensure that only high-quality products beneficial to the farming community are made available in the country and abroad

5. To bring awareness through seminars, digital & print media and farmer organizations regarding the need for balanced application of biologicals along with crop protection and fertilizers for promoting sustainable agriculture

6. To co-ordinate with related National & International organizations’ for promoting the best harmonized practices worldwide

7. To be a representative body for Bio Agri-input stakeholders for all advocacy and stewardship.

Presentation:

Seaweeds have been used in India since the early 1980s as agri-inputs and are now being regulated under the Fertilizer Control Order 1985 under the Essential Commodities Act 1955. Further, the import of live seaweed culture is also being encouraged by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.

The presentation walks the delegates through the sequential development of administering norms for regulatory compliance of agri-inputs based of seaweeds & its extracts.