Draft Seeds Bill: Provisions, Penalties and Farmer Concerns
Why in the news
The Agriculture Ministry published a draft law to update seed regulation and sought public views. Industry welcomes the change; farmer groups fear corporate control.
Key facts
- Released 12 November; comments open until 11 December.
- Replaces the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983.
- Seed need in 2023-24 was 462.31 lakh quintals against availability of 508.60 lakh quintals, a surplus of 46.29 lakh quintals.
- Industry calls the 1966 law outdated given new technology, evolving seed trade, value-for-cultivation trials, genetic purity standards and biotech traits.
Main provisions
| Area | Provision |
|---|---|
| Farmers’ rights | Grow, sow, re-sow, save, exchange, share and sell farm-saved seeds; no sale under a brand name without meeting requirements |
| Definitions | Separate definitions of farmer, dealer, distributor and producer |
| Central Seed Committee | 27 members; recommends minimum standards (germination, genetic and physical purity, trait expression, seed health); oversees the National Register of Seed Varieties |
| State Seed Committee | 15 members; advises states on registration of producers, processing units, dealers, distributors and nurseries |
| Registration | All seed processing units register with the state; a Central Accreditation System may help multi-state firms |
| Registrar | Maintains the National Register and oversees VCU trials |
| Testing | Central and State Seed Testing Laboratories |
| Enforcement | Seed Inspectors can search, seize and investigate under the BNSS |
Penalties and changes from the 2019 draft
- Offences grouped as trivial, minor and major; fines ₹50,000 to ₹30 lakh, jail up to 3 years (2019 draft: ₹25,000 to ₹5 lakh, 1 year).
- Other changes: tighter quality norms, closer alignment with PPV&FRA 2001, more liberal seed imports, stronger central oversight.
Concerns
- All India Kisan Sabha fears higher seed prices and dependence on private firms.
- Corporate monopolies could weaken traditional seed sharing and biodiversity conservation, threatening seed sovereignty.
- Over-centralisation may reduce state autonomy.
- The Bill should align with PPV&FRA 2001, the CBD and the ITPGRFA, which it may dilute.
Exam angle
- Laws being replaced: Seeds Act 1966 and Seeds (Control) Order 1983.
- Committee strengths: 27 central, 15 state.