Humic acid “anti-counterfeiting”: China Agricultural University takes the lead by setting an example.

It’s that time of year again—March 15. “Anti-counterfeiting” remains the main topic today.

Today, the China Humic Acid Industry Association issued an important notice on launching the campaign “Achieving Negative Growth in Fertilizer Use and Resolutely Cracking Down on Counterfeit Humic Acid Fertilizers,” calling on the entire industry to strictly enforce three checkpoints and effectively combat counterfeit humic acid products.

At the invitation of the China Humic Acid Industry Association, Nongda Fertilizer Co., Ltd. presented, in written form, its key practices and experiences in combating counterfeiting, emphasizing that collaboration is the most effective remedy for tackling fake and substandard products.

The following is a written document provided by Nongda Feiyе to the China Humic Acid Industry Association:

Collaboration is the best remedy for combating counterfeits and substandard products.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of the association and our colleagues, humic acid fertilizers have entered a golden era of development, spearheading the fertilizer industry’s Fourth Industrial Revolution. Yet it is deeply disheartening that, despite repeated calls to combat counterfeiting, counterfeit and substandard products persist year after year, bringing shame to humic acid and casting a shadow over our entire sector.
These days, we’re faced with a profound question: Are we building a business, or just running a trade? Do we aspire to be entrepreneurs, or mere merchants? Extending this further: Are we capitalizing on the buzz around humic acid to make a quick buck, or are we working together to advance the humic‑acid industry?
To ensure that humic acid is “genuine and free from counterfeits,” we believe that collaboration among enterprises, the industry, and society is the most effective remedy for combating counterfeit and substandard products.
I. Producing high-quality products and strengthening self-discipline are fundamental.
As the manufacturer with the earliest research, deepest R&D efforts, best results, and highest market recognition in the field of humic acids, Nongda Fertilizer has, since its inception, firmly upheld the principle of “safeguarding the reputation of China Agricultural University and building a strong corporate image.” Guided by the mission of “helping more farmers achieve greater economic returns,” the company remains committed to excellence and serving the public.
Technologically, Nongda Fertilizer Industry adopts a sustainable development model that integrates industry, academia, and research. By collaborating with domestic and international research institutes and universities, it continuously deepens the research and application of active mineral‑derived humic acid, striving to deliver higher‑quality humic acid to farmers nationwide.
In terms of raw materials, the company’s technical team has traveled throughout China and to major coal-producing regions worldwide, diligently selecting higher-quality, safer humic acid feedstocks.
In production, we base our processes on standards at all levels while exceeding them through stringent requirements; we rigorously control quality by combining routine inspections with random sampling and integrating self‑inspection with unscheduled external audits, thereby ensuring product quality.
In terms of traceability, the company leverages ERP systems, QR codes, and other digital technologies to ensure end-to-end tracking of each bag of fertilizer—covering which raw materials were used, which production workshop handled it, when it was manufactured, and to which specific region and customer it was sold.
II. Effective promotion and strengthened guidance are essential safeguards.
Unlike other industries, agricultural inputs are the lifeblood of farmers; “concept‑driven marketing,” “misleading advertising,” “deceptive sales tactics,” and “fabricated claims” all end up harming both consumers and producers. We believe that only showcasing and sharing tangible results is the most effective and sustainable approach to product promotion.
To this end, Nongda Fertilizer’s extensive team of extension and agricultural‑chemical professionals goes out to the fields every day, working alongside distributors and farmers to conduct demonstrations and on‑site observations, using tangible, concrete results to highlight the benefits of humic acid. The company collaborates with the National Agricultural Technology Extension Service Center and agricultural technology stations at all levels to carry out trial and demonstration projects across more than ten provinces, covering over twenty major crops. In addition, the company periodically organizes outreach campaigns to bring humic‑acid fertilizers directly to rural areas, hosting science lectures, field‑based training sessions, on‑site consultations, and exhibitions. It also shares a simple, rapid method for distinguishing genuine from counterfeit humic acid—“look, rub, breathe on it, and soak it in water”—to help farmers make informed purchasing decisions and use these products appropriately. Meanwhile, the company leverages television, websites, WeChat official accounts, and other media channels to widely disseminate information, enhancing farmers’ ability to identify high‑quality products.
III. Establishing effective coordination and pooling resources is the foundation.
One flower does not make spring, and a single tree cannot form a forest. To grow and strengthen the humic acid industry, coordinated efforts are needed from numerous enterprises, industry associations, and government and societal stakeholders. Enterprises must strive to excel in their own operations; the industry should establish robust standards and provide comprehensive training; and the government and society should reinforce oversight and regulation. Together, we must build institutional mechanisms that deter, prevent, and discourage fraud, adopting a multi‑pronged, integrated approach to create synergy. In this way, we can alleviate farmers’ concerns and enhance their returns, ensuring that the humic acid industry continues to thrive—both vibrantly and sustainably.