Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Background
- The Agriculture Ministry released the draft Seeds Bill on 12 November, inviting comments till December 11.
- It aims to reform the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983.
- Seed industry has long demanded reforms to incorporate scientific advances, trade changes, and quality regulation needs.
Need for Reform
- India required 462.31 lakh quintals of seeds in 2023-24 and had a surplus of 46.29 lakh quintals.
- Industry argues the 1966 law is outdated and inadequate to regulate a modern seed market.
- Farmers’ groups fear corporatisation, predatory pricing, and dilution of seed sovereignty.
Key Provisions
- Farmer Rights
- Farmers retain the right to grow, sow, save, resow, exchange, and share seeds.
- Restriction applies only when selling under a brand name.
- Institutional Architecture
- Establishes a 27-member Central Seed Committee and 15-member State Seed Committees.
- Central Committee recommends standards on germination, purity, traits, and seed health.
- State Committee advises registration of seed producers, dealers, distributors, nurseries.
- Regulation & Registration
- Mandatory registration of all seed processing units with State governments.
- Provision to create a Central Accreditation System for companies operating across States.
- National Register & Trials
- A Registrar will maintain a National Register of Seed Varieties.
- Detailed procedure for Value for Cultivation and Use (VCU) field trials.
- Seed Testing & Enforcement
- Establishment of Central and State seed testing laboratories.
- Seed Inspectors get search and seizure powers under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
- Offences & Penalties
- Categorised as trivial, minor, major offences.
- Penalties range from ₹50,000 to ₹30 lakh and up to 3 years imprisonment.
What Changed from 2019 Draft?
- Earlier penalties were ₹25,000–₹5 lakh and up to 1 year jail.
- New draft has higher penalties, tighter quality norms, and more liberalised import rules.
Farmers’ Concerns
- Fear of corporate dominance, higher seed prices, and centralisation of regulation.
- Demand alignment with PPVFR Act, CBD, and International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources.
- Concern that the Bill weakens farmer-centred protections and biodiversity safeguards.