9 hrs ago
India Plans More Consultations Before Introducing Seed, Pesticide Bills
India wants to update its rules for seeds and pesticides.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government will talk with farmers and other groups before introducing the Bills in Parliament.
He has already met representatives from 20 farmers’ organisations.
The government says the old seed rules date from 1966 and need updating.
A draft Seed Bill received 18,000 public submissions.
The proposed law would require seed varieties to be registered.
It would also try to stop the sale of fake or poor-quality seeds and protect farmers from losses.
The government says it wants farmers to receive good seeds at affordable prices while encouraging useful research.
Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the government will hold more consultations before introducing the seed and pesticide Bills in Parliament.
Chouhan consulted 20 farmers’ organisations and said further discussions with farmers and other stakeholders are needed.
The draft Seed Bill, 2025 received 18,000 submissions during its public consultation, which ended on December 11, 2025.
The proposed law would replace the Seed Act, 1966 and Seed (Control) Order, 1983, introducing mandatory registration of seed varieties.
The Bills aim to improve seed quality, protect farmers from poor-quality products, regulate companies and prices, and encourage research and innovation.
- Who
- The Government of India, led on this issue by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, along with farmers’ organisations and other stakeholders.
- What
- The government plans additional consultations before introducing proposed seed and pesticide legislation in Parliament.
- Where
- The consultations are taking place in India, and the proposed legislation will be introduced in Parliament.
- When
- Chouhan made the announcement on Thursday; the draft Seed Bill, 2025 was open for public consultation until December 11, 2025.
- Why
- The government says existing seed and pesticide laws are outdated and wants to improve quality, traceability, affordability, farmer protection and innovation.
Key facts
- Consulted organisations
- 20 farmers’ organisations
- Public submissions
- 18,000 submissions on the draft Seed Bill, 2025
- Existing seed law
- Seed Act, 1966
- Other existing regulation
- Seed (Control) Order, 1983
- Proposed registration rule
- Mandatory registration of seed varieties
- Industry size
- India’s seed industry is estimated at $3.82 billion
- Initial legislative priority
- The Seed Bill is expected to be presented before the pesticide legislation
Quotes
Shivraj Singh Chouhan
India’s Agriculture Minister
“Our key focus is that farmers get quality and high yielding seed at remunerative prices, we will be bringing the proposed legislation in Parliament soon”
financialexpress.com
“There is a need for new seed and pesticide Acts, as many changes have taken place since that legislation was adopted in 1966.”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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