What does the draft Seeds Bill entail?

The Hindu
The Hindu
1M ago
The Indian government released a draft Seeds Bill to modernize seed regulations, but farmers express concerns over its impact on their rights and costs.
What does the draft Seeds Bill entail?
A What happened
On November 12, 2025, the Union Agriculture Ministry unveiled a draft Seeds Bill aimed at reforming the Seeds Act of 1966. This Bill intends to enhance seed quality and reduce compliance burdens for businesses. It proposes the establishment of Central and State seed committees to oversee seed production and distribution. However, farmers' groups, including the Samyukt Kisan Morcha, have raised concerns that the Bill may lead to increased cultivation costs and corporate control over seed pricing. They argue that it could undermine farmers' rights and seed sovereignty. The Bill also outlines penalties for violations, ranging from fines to imprisonment. The government is seeking public feedback until December 11, 2025, as it aims to modernize India's seed regulatory framework.

Key insights

  • 1

    Regulatory Framework Changes: The Bill introduces a new regulatory mechanism for seed quality and distribution.

  • 2

    Farmers' Rights Concerns: Farmers fear the Bill may increase costs and limit their rights.

  • 3

    Penalties for Violations: The Bill outlines significant penalties for non-compliance, ranging from fines to imprisonment.

Takeaways

The draft Seeds Bill represents a significant shift in India's seed regulation, aiming to modernize the industry while raising concerns among farmers about potential negative impacts on their rights and costs.

Topics

Climate & Environment Agriculture Business & Markets Economy Culture & Society Society

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