The Indian government is preparing to introduce a comprehensive amendment to the Seeds Act, 1966, during the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament, aiming to tackle the growing menace of spurious and substandard seeds that have severely impacted farmers’ livelihoods across the country.
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan confirmed the move, stating that the revised bill will focus on seed traceability, accountability, and quality assurance. The amendment is part of a broader strategy to modernize India’s agricultural input ecosystem and protect farmers from economic losses due to counterfeit seeds.
🌱 Key Features of the Proposed Seed Amendment Bill
- Mandatory seed certification and registration for all varieties
- Introduction of QR codes to trace seed origin and ensure transparency
- Stricter penalties for the sale of fake or substandard seeds
- Upgraded seed testing laboratories under the PM-RKVY scheme
- Enhanced grievance redressal mechanisms for affected farmers
In FY 2023–24, out of 1.33 lakh seed samples tested, 3,630 were found to be substandard, highlighting the urgent need for regulatory reform.
🧪 Strengthening Seed Infrastructure
The government also plans to equip seed testing labs with advanced technology and provide funding support to states. The amendment will be drafted in consultation with state governments and key stakeholders, ensuring a collaborative approach to implementation.
🗣️ Farmer-Centric Policy Shift
The proposed bill follows feedback from over 13 million farmers during the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan, where concerns about seed and pesticide quality were prominently raised. The government is also considering amendments to the Pesticides Act to ensure holistic quality control of agricultural inputs.
Stay tuned for updates from the Winter Session of Parliament.
