Why is it in News?
- The Union Agriculture Ministry released the draft Seeds Bill on November 12, 2025; public comments invited till December 11.
- Objective: update and modernise the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 in line with technological advances, commercial changes, and global commitments.
- Comes amid rising tensions between seed industry demands (modernisation) and farmers’ unions’ concerns (corporatisation & seed sovereignty).
Relevance:
GS2 – Governance / Policy
- Overhaul of Seeds Act, 1966; regulatory modernisation.
- Centre–State regulatory overlap, federal tensions.
- Alignment with PPVFR Act, CBD, ITPGRFA → treaty compliance.
GS3 – Agriculture
- Seed quality standards → productivity, crop failure reduction.
- Impact on small farmers, seed sovereignty, traditional varieties.
- Liberalising imports → biosecurity, corporate consolidation risks.
Why a Seeds Law?
- Seeds are the primary determinant of crop productivity (35–40% contribution).
- India has moved from:
- 1960s: Public-sector dominated seed systems
- 2020s: Hybrid technologies, GM traits, corporate breeding, biotech, global IPR regimes
- Need for:
- Quality assurance
- Traceability
- Regulation of producers/dealers
- Alignment with PPVFR Act (2001) and biodiversity conventions
History & Context
- Seeds Act, 1966 and Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 now outdated.
- Seed industry demand:
- Law must reflect advancements in biotechnology, hybrid seeds, transgenics, R&D intensity, global trade.
- India’s seed requirement 2023–24: 462.31 lakh quintals
- Availability: 508.60 lakh quintals → 46.29 lakh quintal surplus
- Farmers’ unions’ position: fear of corporatisation, loss of seed sovereignty, and restriction of farmers’ traditional practices.
New Provisions: What the Draft Bill Proposes
Regulatory Architecture
- Covers import, production, processing, certification, distribution, sale of seeds.
- New definitions for farmer, dealer, distributor, producer.
Farmers’ Rights
- Farmers retain right to grow, sow, re-sow, save, exchange, share, sell farm-saved seed.
- Restriction only when seed is sold under a brand name.
- Embedded link to Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act, 2001.
Institutional Framework
- Central Seed Committee (27 members) → sets:
- Minimum standards on germination, genetic purity, physical purity, seed health, traits.
- State Seed Committees (15 members) → registration of:
- Seed producers
- Seed processing units
- Dealers/distributors
- Plant nurseries
Seed Registration & Testing
- Mandatory registration of all:
- Seed producers
- Seed processing units
- Provision for:
- National Register of seed varieties
- Field trials for Value for Cultivation & Use (VCU)
- Central & State seed testing laboratories
Import Liberalisation
- More open system for seed imports, with quality safeguards.
Central Accreditation System
- Merit-based accreditation for companies operating in multiple States to reduce compliance burden.
Enforcement Mechanism
- Seed inspectors empowered to search, seize, sample, and test.
- Framework aligned with Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Offences & Penalties: What Has Changed from 2019 Draft?
Changes from 2019 Draft
- Earlier penalties (2019):
- ₹25,000–₹5 lakh, imprisonment up to 1 year.
- Covered largely under consumer protection laws.
New Draft (2024)
- Penalties significantly enhanced:
- ₹50,000 to ₹30 lakh
- Imprisonment up to 3 years
- Categorisation into trivial, minor, major offences.
- Much stronger punitive framework to curb:
- Misbranding
- Spurious seed sales
- Fake labels
- Trait misrepresentation
Farmers’ Concerns
Key objections by All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) / Samyukt Kisan Morcha
- Bill will increase cost of cultivation due to:
- Corporate entry
- Potential for predatory pricing
- Seen as part of a centralised, corporatised regulatory architecture.
- Fear of:
- Undermining India’s seed sovereignty
- Weakening of farmer-centric protections
- Dilution of biodiversity safeguards
Legal & International Commitments Farmers Invoke
- Must not conflict with:
- PPVFR Act, 2001 (farmers’ rights)
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
- International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources (ITPGRFA)
Major apprehensions
- Centralised regulation may:
- Reduce autonomy of States
- Increase dependence on corporate seed lines
- Marginalise traditional varieties
Industry’s Position
- Federation of Seed Industry of India:
- Calls the draft timely and much-needed.
- Supports:
- Higher standards
- Liberalisation of imports
- Accreditation-based regulation
- Clear penalties
- Says it aligns India with global seed trade standards.
Critical Analysis
Strengths
- Updated quality standards → reduced spurious seeds, higher yields.
- Clarity on farmers’ rights → compliance with PPVFR Act.
- Modernised regulation → ease of doing business for legitimate players.
- Strong penalties → deterrence against adulteration.
- National Register + lab network → greater traceability and transparency.
Weaknesses / Risks
- Centralisation risks limiting State autonomy (Key in agri-sector).
- Liberal import regime → risk to domestic breeders, biosecurity.
- Accreditation system may favour large corporations.
- VCU trials may increase cost and time, disadvantaging small breeders.
Opportunities
- Harmonisation with global standards → export potential for Indian seed industry.
- Improved seed quality → reduced crop failures, higher productivity.
- Stimulates R&D, hybrid seed development, biotech innovation.
Threats
- Corporate consolidation → increased input costs.
- Farmers’ distrust → protests, political backlash.
- Inadequate protection for traditional varieties → biodiversity loss.
