Overview
- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said a new seed law will be introduced in the upcoming budget session to curb substandard and unauthorised seeds.
- He called for full compliance with the national SATHI portal, which mandates 100% registration of seed companies to strengthen authentication and traceability.
- Chouhan urged companies to lower prices, provide seeds that do not require annual replacement, and resolve low‑germination issues, warning of action against illegal practices.
- Maharashtra announced a two‑to‑three‑year goal to bring 25 lakh hectares under natural or organic farming and pressed for climate‑resilient varieties tailored to that transition.
- The state outlined mandatory certification, digital traceability, strict penalties and exploration of blockchain, while three clean plant centres are being set up to supply quality horticultural material; officials value the seed market at about $7.8 billion today with a $19 billion outlook by 2030.