Draft Seeds Bill 2025 Strengthens Seed Quality And Farmer Protection

Introduction

Draft Seeds Bill 2025 Strengthens Seed Quality And Farmer Protection: The Draft Seeds Bill 2025 marks a major step in modernising India’s seed regulation framework. It aims to curb the spread of spurious and poor-quality seeds and ensure farmers receive reliable planting material at affordable prices. The proposal is currently open for stakeholder comments and is expected to be placed before Parliament soon.

Update To Outdated Laws

The proposed law will replace the Seeds Act 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order 1983, both of which were designed for an earlier era of agricultural development. The new framework aligns with advancements in biotechnology, digital traceability, and global seed standards.
It also introduces clear systems for regulating the production, sale, import and distribution of seeds across India.
Static GK fact: The Seeds Act 1966 was India’s first national law to set minimum standards for seed germination and purity.

Mandatory Registration System

The Bill mandates a unified registration process for dealers, producers, distributors, nurseries, processing units and certification agencies. This ensures accountability at every stage of the seed supply chain.
All registered entities must follow quality norms and maintain accurate records of seed varieties and sales.
Central and state governments may establish or notify seed-testing laboratories to scientifically verify quality, purity and germination.

Labelling, QR Codes And Traceability

Every marketed seed packet must include clear labels indicating the variety name, source, germination percentage and purity levels.
QR codes will help buyers track the origin and authenticity of seeds, making it harder for counterfeit products to enter the market.
Static GK Tip: India is one of the world’s largest seed markets, with more than 120 million farmers dependent on reliable planting material.

Safeguards For Farmers

Farmers retain the absolute right to save, use, exchange and sell seeds from their own harvest without any registration requirement.
If a registered seed variety fails to perform as claimed under normal conditions, farmers can seek compensation through a structured mechanism.
This protects small cultivators from financial loss due to misleading claims by seed companies.

Clear Penalty Structure

The Bill introduces a graded system of compliance to support ease of doing business while ensuring strict enforcement when needed.
Trivial lapses first attract a written notice, followed by a fine of ₹50,000 if repeated within three years.
Minor offences, such as misbranding or overcharging, carry penalties of ₹1 lakh for the first violation and ₹2 lakh for subsequent ones.
Major violations — including supplying spurious seeds, selling unregistered varieties or operating without registration — attract penalties up to ₹30 lakh and imprisonment of up to three years.

Oversight, Innovation And Accountability

A Central Seed Committee, assisted by a Registration Sub-Committee, will oversee approvals, standards and overall implementation.
The Bill also promotes regulated seed imports to encourage innovation and access to improved global varieties while adhering to biosafety norms.
Only authorised seed inspectors may initiate prosecution, reducing unnecessary litigation against companies.
A faster dispute-resolution framework is included to strengthen farmer confidence and improve industry accountability.
Static GK Fact: India’s Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001 provides legal rights to both farmers and breeders over new plant varieties.

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Draft Seeds Bill 2025 Strengthens Seed Quality And Farmer Protection: