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Comparative study of regulation and certification policies on bioinputs in different tropical countries

¹Federal University of Goiás, Graduate Program in Agribusiness, Brazil
²Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply of the State of Goiás, Brazil
³Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Brazil

Abstract

The certification and regulatory frameworks for bioinputs are extremely important in tropical countries with regard to their mention. Though these policies help in protection of environment, public health and help bioinput product efficacy, safety, and quality. This paper compares the certification procedures and regulations for bioinputs in several tropical countries with an emphasis on the laws concerning biostimulants and biorational products. The research aimed to assess certification procedures and legal frameworks that were instituted in several tropical countries such as Nigeria, India, and Brazil. For instance, in Brazil, regulation on bioinputs falls under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Supply. In this country, there exist stringent processes of registering these products, where bioinputs are even well outlined. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in India is responsible for the regulation of bioinputs, while its Nigerian counterpart uses the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) and the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) to regulate bioinputs. The whole country has come into force with Fertiliser Control Order, which has put regulations in place governing production, importation as well as distribution of bioinputs. These organisations ensure that bioinputs meet the criteria for being certified and registered. The study concludes that many similarities exist between the regulatory frameworks of certain countries while there are also significant differences. For example, in contrast to Nigeria and India, Brazil has stricter registration standards for bioinputs. Fertilisers require distinctive guidelines in Brazil while in India and Nigeria they are regulated under different set of rules. It also sheds light on the importance of certification processes in ensuring that bioinput standards are met. In as far as certification is concerned, certification bodies often utilise laboratory tests as well as field trials as part of quality assurance mechanisms for specific characteristics attributed with same products. The overriding objective of doing a comparative analysis is to show the how essential it is for tropical countries to have effective certification mechanisms and regulations for bio-inputs. For purposes of ensuring the effectiveness, safety and quality of the bio-inputs, tropical nations are supposed to develop or implement strong regulations and certification frameworks.

Keywords: Bioinputs, certification, regulation, sustainable farming, tropical agriculture

Contact Address: Alcido Elenor Wander, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA), Rodovia GO-462, km 12, 75375-000 Santo Antonio de Goias, Brazil, e-mail: alcido.wanderembrapa.br