The proposed Seed Act aims to replace the decades-old 1966 law and introduce mandatory registration and QR-based traceability for commercial seeds. Farmers’ traditional seed rights will remain protected, while compensation for seed failure could be provided within 15 days.
Highlights
- Government proposes stronger Seed Act to tackle fake and substandard seeds
- Serious offences could attract fines of up to ₹30 lakh along with imprisonment
- Commercial seed packets would carry QR codes for end-to-end traceability
The Centre is working on a stronger Seed Act that could introduce penalties of up to ₹30 lakh and imprisonment for serious offences involving fake seeds and deliberate fraud. The proposed legislation also seeks to make QR-based traceability and registration mandatory for seeds sold commercially.
Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan discussed the proposed law with farmer organisations from across the country at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi on September 10. Around 20 farmer organisations shared their views and suggestions during the consultation.
According to the government, the existing Seed Act dates back to 1966, while the Seeds Control Order came into force in 1983. Chouhan said the current framework is no longer sufficient to deal with challenges such as fake and poor-quality seeds. Around 70% of seeds currently remain outside the ambit of the existing law, he said.
₹30 Lakh Fine for Serious Offences
The proposed legislation divides violations into three categories. Minor violations could attract a warning for the first offence and a penalty of up to ₹50,000 for a subsequent offence.
Deliberate violations, including failure to provide a QR code, incorrect branding or failure to provide required information, could attract penalties of ₹1 lakh for the first offence and ₹2 lakh for the second.
Serious offences such as selling fake seeds, operating without registration or committing deliberate fraud could result in a penalty of up to ₹30 lakh along with imprisonment.
QR Code on Seed Packets
Under the proposal, seeds and planting material covered by the commercial regulatory framework would be entered in a national register. Seed packets would carry QR codes allowing farmers and authorities to trace information such as origin, manufacturer, laboratory clearance and movement through the supply chain.
The government believes this system will make it easier to identify responsibility when seeds fail or are found to be substandard.
Farmers’ Traditional Seed Rights Protected
The Agriculture Minister stressed that farmers’ existing rights over traditional seeds would remain protected. Farmers would continue to be allowed to use, exchange and sell traditional and farmers’ varieties without mandatory registration.
The proposed legislation also envisages a Seed Security Fund in every state. In cases of verified seed failure or losses, farmers could receive compensation within 15 days. Their right to seek compensation under the Consumer Protection Act would also continue.
Chouhan said the government has not fixed a deadline for finalising the legislation and consultations with farmers and other stakeholders will continue before the final draft is prepared.
