The Indian government’s proposed ‘New Seed Bill 2025′ is creating a stir, bringing together the government and farmer organisations in a debate. Farmers’ groups have announced a nationwide protest on November 26 to voice their opposition to the Bill. Opposition parties have also expressed their reservations. However, it’s understood that these parties and their state governments are carefully reviewing the Bill’s details before committing to any protest action.
The government states that the new Bill aims to ensure farmers have access to high-quality seeds at reasonable prices. It also plans to ban the sale of fake and poor-quality seeds, which should help protect farmers. This proposed legislation is set to replace the older Seed Act of 1966 and the Seed (Control) Order of 1983. The government hopes to present the Bill in Parliament during the winter session, starting on December 1.
A key focus of the upcoming parliamentary session will be the ‘Seed Law and Pesticide Issues’. The proposed law will introduce strong legal consequences for any dealer found selling counterfeit seeds or pesticides. A new system is also planned to handle farmers’ complaints about seeds. This system aims to ensure farmers receive compensation quickly and that there is greater accountability.
The draft Bill includes strict penalties and fines. These penalties are divided into three categories. Fines could range from ₹50,000 to ₹3 lakh. Additionally, dealers found guilty could face cancellation of their licenses and a prison sentence of up to three years.
Recently, the government has received numerous complaints from farmers and agricultural groups across the country. These complaints are about the sale of low-quality and fake seeds, as well as counterfeit pesticides. To address these serious issues, the government has drafted a strong new law. This draft has been shared with farmers and other stakeholders for their feedback.
Under the proposed rules, all types of seeds must be registered before they can be sold or distributed. Seed producers, distributors, and dealers will need to obtain a valid license. Seed producers will also be responsible for ensuring the quality and purity of their seeds, and this will be monitored. These rules will apply to branded seeds. However, farmers will be allowed to sell their own crop seeds without needing to register them.
While some farmer organisations support parts of this Bill, believing it could benefit them, others are concerned. They worry that the Bill might lead to higher seed prices in the future. These groups are calling for the draft Bill to be withdrawn. The situation is also drawing attention to the position of opposition parties and the governments they lead in various states.
This Bill could become a point of contention between the government and the opposition in the upcoming parliamentary session. Both sides may present their arguments as being in the best interest of farmers.