Leading associations representing India’s agri-input and fertilizer industry have urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to retain the state’s inspector-free regulatory framework and reconsider any proposal to reintroduce an inspector-driven system for manufacturers and importers.

Industry bodies including the Indian Micro Fertilizers Manufacturers Association (IMMA), Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA), Pesticides Manufacturers & Formulators Association of India (PMFAI), Organic Agro Manufacturers Association (OAMA), Maharashtra Biocontrol Manufacturers Association (MBMA) and IAIM – Indian Agro Inputs Manufacturers Association have jointly expressed concern over reports suggesting the possible return of an inspection-heavy regulatory regime.

In a communication to the Chief Minister, the associations highlighted that Maharashtra became the first state in India to introduce an inspector-free regulatory framework through Government Resolution GR 28016/117/2025-MAG-17A dated June 19, 2025, a reform widely welcomed by industry for improving ease of doing business and strengthening MSMEs in the agri-input sector.

According to industry representatives, the reform established a trust-based governance model that encouraged responsible manufacturing, compliance, and investment in crop nutrition solutions supporting agricultural productivity and farmer incomes.

However, the associations have raised concerns that there is now a proposal under consideration to reintroduce an inspector-driven regulatory structure, which could significantly increase regulatory oversight through inspectors with broad powers to inspect manufacturers and importers. It is also understood that deliberations on the matter were held in October 2025 and January 2026 without adequate participation from key industry stakeholders. Many suspect such a step appear to be driven by a long-standing attempt by a now-redundant inspector lobby to regain lost discretionary powers.

Vijay Thakur of the OAM Association Maharashtra stated that the June 19, 2025 Government Resolution was a bold and overdue dismantling of Inspector Raj, restoring trust and enabling genuine industry growth; any attempt to revert to an inspection-heavy regime would be a serious setback, reopening the door to corruption, extortion, and regulatory misuse, while emboldening spurious operators and subjecting the 99 per cent compliant manufacturers to harassment, particularly in a state where there is already precedent of officials being linked to shell fertilizer entities, and the industry strongly cautions that returning to such discretionary control will damage credibility, discourage honest enterprise, and reverse hard-earned progress toward a transparent, accountable system.

Dr. Suhash Buddhe, representing IPNM SPC, the consortium of 10 agri input manufacturers & Dealers associations, expressed serious concern over the intent behind reintroducing an inspector-driven regime, warning that the industry is already at a breaking point due to excessive inspections, raw material shortages, and sharp cost escalations; he emphasized that increasing regulatory pressure will only accelerate the exodus of genuine manufacturers to more industry-friendly states like Gujarat, and if this trend gathers pace, Maharashtra risks being left with a landscape dominated by spurious players rather than serious, compliant manufacturers, ultimately undermining both industry credibility and farmer trust.

The associations warned that reversing the reform could undermine investor confidence and weaken Maharashtra’s position as a leader in progressive agricultural sector governance.

Industry representatives have therefore urged the Maharashtra government to withdraw any proposal that may lead to the return of an inspector-based regulatory regime and instead continue with the current policy framework that promotes transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business.

They also reiterated their commitment to working closely with the Government of Maharashtra to strengthen the agri-input ecosystem and support farmer welfare, agricultural productivity, and sustainable industry growth.