Draft Seeds Bill

Source: The post “Draft Seeds Bill” has been created, based on “What does the draft Seeds Bill entail?” published in “The Hindu” on 29th November 2025.

UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-3- Indian Economy

Context: The draft Seeds Bill, released by the Union Agriculture Ministry on November 12, aims to modernise India’s seed regulatory framework by ensuring quality seeds, promoting ease of doing business, and strengthening penalties for violations.

History and Background

1. Need for Reform: The seed industry has long argued that the Seeds Act of 1966 does not reflect technological and scientific advancements in seed development or changes in global trade patterns.
2. Seed Availability Context: In 2023–24, India required 462.31 lakh quintals of seeds and had an availability of 508.60 lakh quintals, resulting in a surplus of 46.29 lakh quintals.
3. Stakeholder Positions: While industry bodies welcome the draft as a modernisation step, farmer groups such as the Samyukt Kisan Morcha oppose it, calling certain provisions “anti-farmer.”

Key Provisions of the Draft Seeds Bill

1. The Bill establishes a comprehensive regulatory mechanism to oversee the import, production and supply of quality seeds in the country.
2. The Bill does not restrict farmers from sowing, re-sowing, exchanging or selling their own seeds, unless the seeds are sold under a brand name.
3. The Bill clearly defines farmers, dealers, distributors and producers as separate regulated entities, each with specific roles and responsibilities.
4. Institutional Structure: The Bill proposes the creation of a 27-member Central Seed Committee and a 15-member State Seed Committee to guide seed regulation.
   1. The Central Seed Committee can recommend minimum standards for germination, purity, traits, seed health and genetic purity for seeds sold in the market.
   2. The State Seed Committees may advise their respective governments on the registration of seed producers, seed dealers, processing units and nurseries.
5. Registration Requirements: The Bill makes it mandatory for all seed processing units to register with the State government under the proposed legislation. The Union government is empowered to establish a central accreditation system for seed companies that operate across multiple States.
6. Seed Testing and Regulation: The Bill mandates the establishment of Central and State seed testing laboratories for analysing the quality and characteristics of seeds.
   1. The Bill proposes that a Registrar be appointed to maintain a National Register of all seed varieties available in the country.
   2. The Bill makes field trials mandatory to evaluate the Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) of any seed variety before approval.
7. Penalties and Enforcement: The Bill stipulates that violations can attract monetary penalties ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹30 lakh and can also lead to imprisonment for up to three years.
   1. The roles of enforcement agencies, including those under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, are clearly defined for inspecting seed premises and seizing spurious seeds.

Changes from the 2019 Draft

1. Enhanced Penalties: The previous penalty range of ₹25,000–₹5 lakh has been significantly increased in the new draft.
2. Farmers’ Rights Alignment: The draft now explicitly links farmers’ rights with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPVFR Act), 2001.
3. Quality Standards: The Bill tightens seed quality norms and liberalises the import of seeds compared to the earlier version.

Concerns of Farmers

1. Fear of Corporate Dominance: Farmers believe the Bill may enable multinational and domestic corporations to control seed markets, threatening seed sovereignty.
2. Risk to Legal Safeguards: Farmers worry that the Bill may dilute protections under the PPVFR Act, Convention on Biological Diversity and other international commitments.
3. Centralisation Issues: Farmers argue that the proposed regulatory system is excessively centralised, reducing State and farmer participation.
4. Threat to Biodiversity: There are concerns that the Bill may undermine India’s biodiversity conservation framework and weaken farmer-centric production systems.

Implementation Challenges

1. Balancing Interests: It is difficult to balance ease of doing business with the need to protect small farmers’ rights and access to seed varieties.
2. Institutional Capacity: Many States may lack adequate infrastructure and trained personnel to run seed testing laboratories and seed committees effectively.
3. Regulatory Trust Deficit: There is a persistent trust deficit between farmers and seed companies, which complicates implementation.
4. Uniform Enforcement: Ensuring uniform standards across different States poses significant administrative challenges.

Way Forward

1. Strengthen Farmer Protections: The Bill must align fully with the PPVFR Act to protect farmers’ right to save, exchange and reuse seeds.
2. Risk-Based Allocation: A risk-based, decentralised regulatory system should be adopted to account for diverse agro-climatic realities.
3. Balance Penalties: Penalties should target fraudulent corporations while ensuring that small farmers are not criminalised for minor violations.
4. Inclusive Consultation: Wider consultations with farmer organisations, scientists and State governments are needed before finalising the Bill.
5. Capacity Building: States should receive financial and technical support to enhance seed testing, certification and regulatory enforcement.

Conclusion: The draft Seeds Bill is a timely attempt to modernise India’s seed sector, strengthen quality assurance and regulate trade, but it must address farmers’ concerns regarding centralisation and corporate dominance. A balanced, transparent and farmer-centric regulatory framework is essential for ensuring seed security, biodiversity protection and sustainable agricultural growth.

Question: The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 aims to modernise India’s seed regulatory framework but raises significant concerns about farmer rights, centralisation and seed sovereignty. Discuss the key provisions, concerns and the way forward.