The Bill also regulates the sale of seed so that the seed varieties meet the minimum limit of germination, genetic purity, physical purity, traits, seed health and other seed standards specified in the “Indian Minimum Standards for Seed Certification”. File | Photo credit: The Hindu
After two failed attempts by the United Progressive Alliance and National Democratic Alliance governments in the past in 2004 and 2019, the Center has brought another bill on seeds.
The Union Ministry of Agriculture said the proposal is in line with current agricultural and regulatory requirements. The proposed legislation is to replace the existing Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Regulations, 1983. While the seed industry welcomed the move, farmers’ organizations reminded the Center that it had to withdraw the law twice following their opposition.
The Center said in a report that the draft Seeds Bill, 2025 seeks to regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials available in the market; ensure farmers have access to high-quality seeds at affordable prices; to limit the sale of fake and low-quality seeds; protect farmers from losses; liberalize seed imports to encourage innovation and access to global varieties; and protect farmers’ rights and ensure transparency and accountability in seed supply chains. “On the enforcement side, the Bill proposes to decriminalize less serious offences, thereby promoting the ‘ease of doing business’ and reducing the compliance burden, while retaining strong provisions to effectively prosecute serious offences,” the government said.
All stakeholders and the public can submit their comments and suggestions on the draft law and its provisions until December 11, 2025.
According to the proposal, every seed dealer and distributor must “obtain a registration certificate from the State Government before selling, holding for sale, offering for sale, importing or exporting or otherwise supplying any seed by himself or by any other person on his behalf”. The Bill also regulates the sale of seed so that the seed varieties meet the minimum limit of germination, genetic purity, physical purity, traits, seed health and other seed standards specified in the “Indian Minimum Standards for Seed Certification”.
“The Central Government may, by notification, permit the importation of an unregistered species or variety in such quantity and subject to such conditions as may be specified therein for research and trial purposes,” the proposal said. The proposal also defines the composition and roles of central and state seed committees.
Speaking to The Hindu, senior functionary of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), Pavel Kussa, said the Center should remember that it had to withdraw bills twice following farmers’ protests. “On both occasions, the bills were anti-farmer and pro-imperialist corporate multinationals. We don’t expect the government to be any different this time as the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented a number of anti-farmer policies. On the face of it, this bill favors seed companies and makes it easier for such companies to do business,” Mr. Kussa said. We will study the bill and publish our opinion.
Ajai Rana, Chairman, Federation of Seed Industries of India (FSII), said the publication of the proposal was a timely and much-needed step towards modernizing India’s seed regulatory framework. He welcomed the proposal, saying that its first reading suggests a recognition system for research-based and business-facilitating companies in particular. “These measures will further streamline the sector while providing strong safeguards against serious breaches. The FSII is reviewing the proposal in detail and will officially submit its comments by the deadline,” he added.
Published – 14 Nov 2025 00:01 IST
