Overview
- The draft Seeds Bill, 2025 is posted for feedback through December 11, with submissions invited via the Agriculture Ministry website and designated email.
- The proposal would replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 to regulate quality, ensure affordable access to good seed, curb spurious sales, and increase supply-chain transparency.
- Enforcement changes include decriminalising minor offences to reduce compliance burdens while retaining stringent penalties for serious violations.
- Operational provisions require state registration for seed dealers, adherence to Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards, and allow conditional import of unregistered kinds for research and trials.
- Industry groups welcomed the modernization push, while farmer organisations—especially in Telangana—signalled caution and plan to seek stronger compensation and enforcement measures; earlier reform attempts in 2004 and 2019 did not become law.