Centre Opens Fresh Talks With Farmer Bodies on Tougher Seed Law

Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a consultation with leaders of farmer organisations from across the country at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi, as the government works on replacing the decades-old law governing seeds with a stronger regulatory framework.

Representatives from nearly every state took part, and around 20 farmer organisations submitted their views. Among those present were the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, several factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, the All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Kisan Mahapanchayat, Bharatiya Krishak Samaj, Gaon Kisan Unnayan, the Society for Independent Farmers Association, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, Telangana Rythu Sangham, Shetkari organisations from Maharashtra, Gujarat's Khedut Samaj, the National Kisan Progressive Association from Rajasthan and Bihar, Tamil Nadu's Vivasayigal Sangam, Jharkhand's Pragatisheel Krishi Manch and a farmers' organisation from Kottayam in Kerala. Union Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra and senior officials attended.

Why the 1966 law is being revisited

Chouhan said the existing Seed Act dates to 1966 and the Seeds Control Order to 1983, and that six decades of change in agriculture have left the framework unable to deal with present-day problems, including the sale of fake and poor-quality seeds and difficulty in fixing responsibility. He noted that farmers themselves had raised the need for new seed and pesticide laws during the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan.

Suggestions were invited on a draft in November-December 2025, drawing roughly 18,000 responses from farmers and their organisations. The consultation process has now resumed so that organisations working closely with cultivators can give direct inputs. The Minister said there would be no haste in finalising the law, that no deadline has been set, and that feasible suggestions would be examined for inclusion in the final draft.

Gaps in the current regime

According to Chouhan, about 70% of seeds fall outside the ambit of the existing Act, procedures vary from state to state, and current penalties are too weak to deter wrongdoing. The proposed legislation is intended to create a stronger, more uniform regulatory system against fake and substandard seeds.

Traditional varieties left untouched

The Minister said the new law will not restrict farmers' existing rights. Farmers will remain free to use, exchange and sell traditional and farmers' varieties, and registration will not be mandatory for such seeds. Those who wish to may register voluntarily. A farmer producing seed for personal use, for distribution within the village, or even for a company will not have to complete digital registration under these provisions.

Three tiers of penalties

The draft classifies offences into three categories. Minor violations would draw a warning for a first offence and a penalty of up to ₹50,000 for a second. Deliberate violations, such as failing to affix a QR code, not providing required data or incorrect branding, would attract ₹1 lakh for a first offence and ₹2 lakh for a second. Serious offences — selling fake seeds, trading without registration or deliberate fraud — would carry a penalty of up to ₹30 lakh along with imprisonment. Chouhan said these provisions should act as a strong deterrent against the illegal seed trade.

Registration and traceability

All seeds and planting material would have to be entered in a national register, and unregistered seeds would be illegal to sell. Every packet would carry a QR code allowing farmers to trace its origin, manufacturer, laboratory clearance and movement through the supply chain. The Minister said the absence of an effective traceability system currently makes it hard to fix responsibility when seeds fail.

More say for states, faster compensation

State governments would be empowered to release new varieties on the recommendation of state-level committees, while national standards continue to apply, helping states roll out varieties suited to local climates and regional needs. All varieties would be recorded in a single national online register accessible to both the Centre and the states, avoiding duplication.

Responding to a demand from farmers, the draft provides for a Seed Security Fund in every state, managed by the respective state government, into which penalties and recoveries under the Act would be deposited. Where seeds fail and a farmer suffers loss, a verification committee would ensure compensation within 15 days. Farmers would also retain the right to seek compensation under the Consumer Protection Act.

Chouhan thanked the farmer leaders for their inputs and said the government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is committed to shaping policy through consultation and dialogue with farmers, keeping their interests at the centre. Consultations with other stakeholders are also under way, he added, describing the exercise as a step towards protecting farmers from fake and substandard seeds and building a more accountable seed regulatory system.