Seeds Bill 2025: Major Regulatory Changes Ahead

Draft Seeds Bill Proposes Major Regulatory Overhaul

Why in the News?

The Union Agriculture Ministry has released the draft Seeds Bill 2025 for public comments, aiming to update the Seeds Act 1966. The Bill seeks to strengthen seed quality regulation, streamline compliance, and redefine roles of key regulatory bodies, triggering concerns among farmers’ groups. This regulatory overhaul comes at a time when global agricultural practices are under scrutiny, with UN special rapporteurs addressing issues of food security and sustainable farming.

Key Provisions and Regulatory Structure:

• Updated Framework: The Bill modernises regulation of import, production, and distribution of seeds to ensure quality and traceability. This framework aims to align with international standards, including considerations of customary international law in agricultural trade.
• Farmer Rights Protected: Farmers may grow, save, exchange, reuse, or sell farm seeds, except when sold under a brand name, where restrictions apply. These protections are crucial in regions facing challenges like mass internal relocations, which can disrupt traditional farming practices.
• Clear Definitions: The Bill separately defines farmer, dealer, distributor, and producer, clarifying responsibilities across the seed value chain. This clarity is essential in addressing complex issues such as gender-based persecution in agricultural communities.
• Central & State Committees: Establishes a 27-member Central Seed Committee and 15-member State Seed Committees to set quality norms, advise governments, and oversee registration. These committees may also consider global agricultural trends and humanitarian concerns in their decision-making processes.
• Mandatory Registration: All seed processing units must register with State governments; a Central Accreditation System may be created for multi-State companies. This system could potentially integrate with other identification mechanisms, such as Afghan citizen cards or mobile tazkira issuance systems.
• National Register: Proposes the office of Registrar to maintain a National Register of seed varieties and oversee Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials.
• Seed Testing Labs: Sets up Central and State seed laboratories for quality testing.
• Enhanced Penalties: Violations attract fines from ₹50,000 to ₹30 lakh and up to three years’ imprisonment, with offences categorised as trivial, minor, and major.

Farmers’ Concerns and Industry Expectations

• Need for Reform: The seed industry argues the 1966 Act is outdated and must account for technological advances, modern trade, and scientific innovation. This reform comes as global agricultural practices face scrutiny, particularly regarding human rights violations in farming communities.
• Opposition from Farmer Groups: Organisations like Samyukt Kisan Morcha and AIKS fear the Bill may increase cultivation costs through corporate-led predatory pricing. These concerns are amplified in regions dealing with economic instabilities, such as those affected by the Torkham border crossing situation.
• Seed Sovereignty Issue: Farmers worry about the centralisation of regulatory power, which may weaken farmer-centric protections under existing laws. This issue is particularly sensitive in areas where emergency food aid is necessary, highlighting the delicate balance between regulation and food security.
• Biodiversity Concerns: They caution the Bill may conflict with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPVFR) Act 2001, CBD, and ITPGRFA, undermining India’s seed sovereignty.
• Corporate Influence: Farmer groups allege that the new regime could favour multinational seed companies, reducing community control over genetic resources. This concern is part of a broader global debate on agricultural practices and their impact on local communities.