Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare released the draft of the Seeds Bill 2025.  The proposed legislation intends to replace the existing Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983.The Agriculture Ministry highlighted that the new bill seeks to safeguard farmer rights, ensure transparency and accountability in seed supply chains.The new draft bill comes after two failed attempts in the past by the United Progressive Alliance and National Democratic Alliance governments in 2004 and 2019.

Key Features of the Bill

Purpose and Scope

¨     Aims to regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials available in the market.

¨     Ensures farmers’ access to high-quality seeds at affordable rates.

¨     Seeks to prevent the sale of spurious, substandard or non-registered seeds.

¨     Promotes innovation by liberalising seed imports and enabling access to global varieties.

¨     Enhances transparency and accountability in seed supply chains, safeguarding farmers’ rights.

¨     Defines the constitution and roles of Central and State seeds committees.

Registration and Regulation

¨     All seed dealers and distributors must obtain a registration certificate from the State government before selling, storing, importing, exporting, or supplying seeds.

¨     Seed sales must comply with national standards on germination, genetic and physical purity, traits, and seed health, as prescribed under the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards.

¨     Existing varieties notified under Section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966, will be deemed registered under the new legislation.

¨     It emphasises traceability, vests price control with the Central Government, and removes ICAR and SAUs from their earlier authority to approve variety trials.

¨     Provisions on Seed Imports: The Central Government may permit the import of unregistered seed varieties for research and trial purposes through notification, subject to specified quantities and conditions.

¨     Offences and Penalties: It proposes to decriminalise minor offences, thereby promoting ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and reducing compliance burden.

¨     Major offences include selling spurious or unregistered seeds and operating without mandatory registration.

¨     Penalties for major violations include fines up to ₹30 lakh and imprisonment for up to three years.

Positive Aspects of the Bill

¨     Modernising India’s seed regulatory framework: It introduces mandatory registration of all seed varieties, ensuring only verified and quality-controlled seeds enter the market.

¨     Enhanced Traceability and Market Discipline: It ensures improved traceability of seeds throughout the supply chain, enabling quick action in cases of quality failure.

¨     Easier Access to Diverse Varieties: It deems previously notified varieties as registered, ensuring continuity and quick availability of existing seeds.

Ease of Doing Business: It proposes to decriminalise minor offences, promoting business culture and reducing compliance burden, while maintaining strong provisions to penalise serious violations effectivel