Context
Recently, the Union Agriculture Minister held consultations with farmers’ organisations on the proposed Seeds Bill, assuring that farmers’ traditional seed rights would be protected. The proposed law seeks to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and strengthen action against fake and substandard seeds.
Explanation
- The Seeds Act, 1966 regulates the quality of notified seeds, including standards for germination and purity; however, certification under the existing framework is generally voluntary.
- The proposed law seeks mandatory registration of seed varieties and stronger regulation of seed producers and dealers.
- Seed packets would use QR-code-based end-to-end traceability, helping identify the producer, dealer and origin of seeds.
- It aims to curb spurious/substandard seeds through stricter penalties and accountability.
- Importantly, farmers retain the right to grow, sow, re-sow, save, use, exchange, share or sell farm seeds, except sale under a brand name.
- India already uses the SATHI (Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory) portal for digital seed traceability.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040