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The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has released the Draft Seeds Bill 2025 for public consultation, proposing a comprehensive overhaul of India’s seed governance architecture. The Bill seeks to replace the outdated Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, reflecting the need to align India’s seed sector with contemporary agricultural technologies, global market trends, and quality assurance norms. Earlier attempts to introduce new seed legislation in 2004 and 2019 faced widespread farmer resistance and were ultimately withdrawn. The 2025 draft attempts a more balanced approach that strengthens quality standards while safeguarding farmers’ rights.

A central objective of the Bill is to ensure quality, affordability, and traceability of seeds. It mandates regulatory oversight over the sale, import, export, and distribution of seeds, requiring conformity to the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards, which define minimum limits for germination, genetic purity, physical purity, seed health, and trait expression. This shift aims to curb the rampant sale of substandard and spurious seeds that have often resulted in crop losses for farmers.

A defining feature of the Bill is the introduction of mandatory registration for all seed varieties, except farmers’ varieties and varieties produced exclusively for export. Existing notified varieties under the 1966 Act will be deemed registered, ensuring continuity while improving accountability. Registration of seed dealers and distributors with State authorities is also compulsory, bringing uniformity and transparency into the seed supply chain. The Bill also allows controlled liberalisation of seed imports, enabling entry of unregistered varieties for research and trials, with the aim of promoting innovation and access to global germplasm.

The draft introduces a graded penalty structure, classifying offences into trivial, minor, and major categories. Major offences include the sale of non-registered or spurious seeds and operating without proper registration. These attract stiff penalties of up to ?30 lakh and imprisonment of up to three years, signalling the government’s intent to curb malpractice. Minor offences are proposed to be decriminalised to encourage compliance and enhance ease of doing business for legitimate seed enterprises.

Institutionally, the Bill provides for Central and State Seed Committees to coordinate policy, regulate certification procedures, and oversee enforcement mechanisms. This is expected to strengthen federal-level harmonisation in an area where seeds fall under central regulation, but agriculture remains a State subject.

Stakeholder responses to the draft have been mixed. Seed industry associations have welcomed the Bill, highlighting that it will modernise the regulatory environment, support innovation, and bring clarity to seed registration norms. The Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has endorsed its emphasis on research-driven seed development. However, farmer organisations continue to express apprehension, viewing the Bill as potentially “pro-corporate,” with fears of increased dependence on private and multinational companies. Concerns persist regarding compliance burdens for small producers and the potential dilution of farmers’ autonomy in seed selection and exchange.

To ensure the Bill’s effective implementation, several challenges need to be addressed—strengthening laboratory and certification infrastructure, harmonising central–state coordination, ensuring transparency in seed testing, and safeguarding farmers’ traditional rights to save, use, exchange, and sell their own varieties (except branded seeds). Additionally, enhancing investments in public sector seed research through ICAR and State Agricultural Universities remains crucial to balance private sector dominance.

In conclusion, the Draft Seeds Bill 2025 represents a significant step toward modernising India’s seed regulatory ecosystem. Its success will depend on inclusive stakeholder consultations, robust enforcement mechanisms, and a regulatory framework that balances farmer protection with innovation and industry growth.