The central government’s proposed ‘New Seed Bill 2025′ has become a new source of conflict between the government and farmers’ organisations. The government presented the draft of the ‘New Seed Bill 2025′ for discussion, which was met with protests from farmers’ groups. These organisations have announced a nationwide protest on November 26 to oppose the Bill.
The opposition parties have expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s proposed Seed Bill. However, it has been reported that they and their respective state governments are reviewing the Bill’s provisions before deciding on a protest.
According to the government, the Bill will enable farmers to obtain high-quality seeds at affordable prices. Additionally, a ban will be imposed on the sale of counterfeit and substandard seeds, which will benefit the farmers. This proposed legislation will replace the existing Seed Act of 1966 and the Seed (Control) Order of 1983. The government intends to present this bill during the winter session of Parliament, scheduled to commence on December 1.
The government is preparing to present a bill regarding ‘Seed Law and Pesticide Issues’ in the upcoming parliamentary session. The legislation will enable strict legal action against any dealer found selling counterfeit seeds or pesticides. The draft Seed Law also proposes the creation of a new system for addressing and resolving farmers’ seed-related complaints, ensuring timely compensation and improved accountability.
The draft bill includes provisions related to penalties and fines. The penalties have been categorised into three classes. Fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 3 lakh have been stipulated. Additionally, there is a provision for the cancellation of licences for guilty dealers, along with a three-year imprisonment sentence.
Recently, the government has been receiving complaints from farmers and agricultural organisations across various regions regarding the sale of poor-quality and counterfeit seeds, as well as fake pesticides. To address these issues, the government has prepared a draft for a stringent law, which has been published for consultation with farmers and stakeholders.
According to the regulations, it is mandatory to register all types of seeds before their sale and distribution. Additionally, there is a provision that requires seed distributors, producers, or dealers to obtain a valid licence. Furthermore, seed producers must ensure the quality and purity of the seeds, which will also be monitored. This requirement will only apply to branded seeds. On the other hand, farmers will be allowed to sell their crop seeds without registration.
Although some farmers’ organisations are advocating for this bill draft in favour of corporate interests, they are also expressing concerns that it may lead to an increase in seed prices in the future. In this context, where farmers’ organisations are demanding the withdrawal of this draft, attention is also focused on the stance of the opposition and the opposition-led state governments. This bill may manifest as a particular form of power display between the government and the opposition in the upcoming parliamentary session, all under the guise of farmers’ interests.