Source: PIB
Subject: Government Schemes
Context: The Government of India has released the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 for public consultation to overhaul India’s seed regulation framework.
- It aims to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 with a modern, farmer-centric and innovation-driven system.
About Draft Seeds Bill, 2025:
What it is?
- A modern legislation to regulate seed quality, protect farmers, and build a transparent, traceable, and accountable seed ecosystem, including registration, certification, and QR-based digital tracking.
Background / Need:
- Existing laws (Seeds Act, 1966; Seeds Control Order, 1983) became outdated amid rising hybrids, GM traits, private R&D and global trade.
- Earlier reform attempts (like the 2004 Seeds Bill) stalled.
- The 2025 Draft Bill introduces digital traceability, farmers’ rights, graded penalties, and ease of doing business.
Aim:
- Ensure high-quality seeds with clear germination, purity and health standards.
- Protect farmers from spurious, misbranded or sub-standard seeds.
- Strengthen transparency through a central Seed Traceability Portal and QR codes.
- Promote private R&D and reduce compliance burden with decriminalised minor offences
Key Features of the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025:
- Mandatory Registration of Seed Varieties:
- No seed can be sold for sowing unless it is registered based on Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) trials.
- Varieties notified under the 1966 Act are deemed registered, and existing cultivated varieties get provisional registration for 3 years.
- Registration may be suspended or revoked if performance is poor or safety concerns arise.
- Farmers’ Rights Protected:
- Farmers retain the right to save, use, re-sow, exchange and sell farm-saved seeds except under a brand name.
- They are exempt from penalties for selling their own farm seeds.
- Strong Quality Regulation & Standards:
- Central Government will notify minimum standards for germination, purity, traits, and seed health.
- Mandatory labelling + QR codes for traceability.
- Misbranded, spurious or sub-standard seeds prohibited.
- Mandatory Registration Across the Seed Chain:
- Seed producers, seed processing units, dealers, distributors, and plant nurseries must be registered with State Governments.
- A Central Accreditation System allows multi-state companies to be “deemed registered”.
- Certification & Testing Ecosystem Strengthened:
- Creation and recognition of Seed Certification Agencies (state or accredited).
- Central & State Seed Testing Laboratories established with defined standards.
- Seed Inspectors and Analysts get clear powers for sampling, search, and seizure.
- Liberalised but Regulated Seed Imports:
- Imports must comply with quarantine regulations and Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards.
- Unregistered varieties may be imported for research and trials with approval.
- Digital Seed Traceability (SATHI Portal):
- Mandatory onboarding of all producers, dealers, research bodies.
- Ensures end-to-end tracking, transparency, and minimisation of fraud.
- Graded Penalty System (Decriminalisation + Strict Action)
- Trivial offences: warnings + small penalties.
- Minor offences: penalties up to ₹2 lakh.
- Major offences: penalties up to ₹30 lakh, cancellation of registration, and even imprisonment in extreme cases.
- Farmers are exempt from penalties for selling farm-saved seeds.
- Price Regulation in Emergencies:
- Central Government may fix prices during scarcity, monopolistic pricing, or profiteering situations.
