Why in news?

The Centre has introduced a new Seeds Bill that mandates compulsory registration of all seed varieties and imposes stricter penalties for violations.

Released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recently, the draft legislation aims to modernise and strengthen seed regulation in India, and will replace the existing Seeds Act, 1966 once enacted.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why India Needs a New Seeds Bill?
• Problem of Spurious and Substandard Seeds in India
• India’s Annual Seed Requirement and Market Size
• Key Features of the New Seeds Bill, 2025
• Major Concerns Raised by Critics

Why India Needs a New Seeds Bill?

• The current Seeds Act regulates only notified seed varieties, and registration is not mandatory.
• Several categories — including green manure seeds, commercial crops, and plantation crops — fall outside its scope.
• Penalties are outdated and minimal, limited to six months’ imprisonment and a ₹1,000 fine.
• These regulatory gaps have driven longstanding demand for an updated law.
• An earlier attempt in 2004, when a new Seeds Bill was introduced and sent to a Parliamentary committee, did not progress into legislation.

Problem of Spurious and Substandard Seeds in India

• Complaints about low-quality and fake seeds are frequent, and the Agriculture Ministry has repeatedly highlighted the issue.
• Between 2022 and 2025, 43,001 seed samples were found non-standard out of nearly 6 lakh samples tested.
  • West Bengal accounted for the highest share at 62%, followed by Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh.
• During the same period, authorities also took extensive action: 12,287 warnings, 12,915 stop-sale orders, 1,914 FIRs/cases, and 164 forfeitures, underscoring the scale of the problem.

India’s Annual Seed Requirement and Market Size

• For 2024–25, India required 48.20 lakh tonnes of seeds, while 53.15 lakh tonnes were available, indicating adequate supply.
• The country’s seed market is worth around ₹40,000 crore.
• Between May 2014 and August 2025, 3,053 new seed varieties were released, with the public sector accounting for 85% of them and the private sector contributing 15%.

Key Features of the New Seeds Bill, 2025

• The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 aims to overhaul India’s seed laws by replacing the Seeds Act, 1966 and Seeds Control Order, 1983.
• The government says it will improve seed quality, curb counterfeits, and protect farmers.
• Mandatory Registration of Seed Varieties
  • All seed varieties (except traditional farmers’ varieties and export-only seeds) must be registered.
  • Varieties must undergo Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) testing at multiple locations.
  • Only seeds meeting minimum germination and purity standards can be sold.
• Stronger Market Controls and Traceability
  • Seed dealers must obtain a state registration certificate for selling, importing or exporting seeds.
  • Each seed container must carry a QR code generated through the central Seed Traceability Portal.
• Easier Compliance for Large Companies
  • A new Central Accreditation System allows nationally accredited firms to operate across states without additional approvals — a move critics say benefits big agribusinesses.
• Higher Penalties
  • Minor offences attract fines starting at ₹1 lakh.
  • Major offences, including selling spurious or unregistered seeds, carry penalties of up to ₹30 lakh and three years’ imprisonment.
• Farmers’ Rights
  • Farmers may grow, save, exchange, share and sell farm-saved seeds (but not under a brand name).
  • New central and state seeds committees will oversee implementation.

Major Concerns Raised by Critics

• The Bill has drawn strong criticism from farmers’ groups, seed experts, and civil society, who argue it favours large seed companies over small cultivators.
• No Easy Compensation for Farmers - Crop failure due to faulty seeds still requires farmers to seek compensation through courts — an expensive, time-consuming process. Critics say the Bill lacks a farmer-friendly grievance mechanism.
• Community Seed Keepers Excluded - Collectives like FPOs, women’s seed groups, and traditional seed networks will be treated as commercial entities, subject to heavy compliance burdens. Experts warn this may open doors to biopiracy of India’s genetic resources.
• Corporate Bias and Digital Burden - VCU trials favour uniform hybrid seeds from big companies, making it harder for indigenous, diverse, climate-resilient varieties to qualify. Mandatory digital reporting, QR tracking and online submissions are difficult for small rural seed keepers with low digital access.
• Risk of Foreign Seed Entry - Foreign organisations may be recognised for VCU testing. Critics fear this could allow genetically modified or patented seeds into India without strong domestic evaluation. Some warn this could worsen farmer distress and lead to severe social consequences, including higher farmer suicides.