The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has officially released the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025, signaling a major legislative overhaul aimed at replacing the outdated Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983. This proposed legislation is designed to modernize the legal and regulatory framework governing the seed sector in India, which is critical for agricultural productivity and food security. The primary goals are to ensure the sale of quality seeds, accelerate the availability of new and improved varieties, and provide greater protection to farmers.
The Draft Bill introduces several key provisions focused on enhancing quality control and traceability. It mandates the compulsory registration of all seed varieties before they can be sold, ensuring that only certified and tested seeds reach the market. Furthermore, it proposes the establishment of a Seed Certification Agency to set national standards and a Seed Registration Committee to oversee the process. The Bill also includes strong penalties for the sale of misbranded or sub-standard seeds, enhancing accountability across the supply chain.Crucially, the Draft Bill includes specific measures for farmer protection. It proposes compensation mechanisms for farmers whose crops fail due to the poor performance of seeds sold by registered companies, shifting the burden of risk onto the producer for quality failures. It also aims to regulate the pricing of proprietary seeds, particularly those incorporating new technologies, to ensure they remain accessible and affordable for the majority of small and marginal farmers.
