India’s New Seeds Bill 2025 – Regulatory Reform and Farmer Rights

India’s Union Agriculture Ministry released the draft Seeds Bill in November 2025. The Bill aims to modernise seed regulation, ensuring quality and promoting ease of doing business. It replaces the Seeds Act of 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order of 1983. Public comments were invited till December 11, 2025. The Bill has sparked debate between the government, seed industry, and farmer organisations.

Background and Need for Reform

India’s seed demand in 2023-24 was 462.31 lakh quintals, with availability exceeding demand at 508.60 lakh quintals. The seed industry has long called for updating laws to reflect scientific advances and changes in trade since 1966. The government seeks to balance quality assurance with reducing regulatory burdens. The move is seen as necessary to support the growing seed market and agricultural productivity.

Key Provisions of the Draft Seeds Bill

The Bill regulates import, production, and distribution of quality seeds. It preserves farmers’ rights to use, save, exchange, or sell seeds except under brand names. Definitions clarify roles of farmers, dealers, producers, and distributors. It proposes a 27-member Central Seed Committee and 15-member State Seed Committees to set standards and advise governments. Registration of seed processing units is mandatory. A Central Accreditation System is proposed to ease multi-state operations. The Bill mandates a National Register of seed varieties and detailed field trial procedures. It also establishes seed testing laboratories and empowers seed inspectors with search and seizure authority.

Changes from the 2019 Draft

The 2025 draft tightens quality standards and liberalises seed import rules. Penalties for offences have increased , with fines up to ₹30 lakh and imprisonment up to three years, compared to the earlier draft’s lower fines and shorter imprisonment. The Bill links farmers’ rights to the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, aiming for legal coherence.

Farmers’ Concerns and Opposition

Farmer groups like the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sabha oppose the Bill. They fear rising seed costs due to corporate dominance and predatory pricing. They allege the Bill threatens seed sovereignty by favouring multinational and large domestic companies. Concerns include a centralised regulatory system that may weaken farmer protections and biodiversity laws. They demand alignment with existing safeguards under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act and international treaties on biodiversity.

Regulatory Impact and Business Environment

The Bill aims to reduce compliance burdens and promote ease of doing business in the seed sector. The transparent Central Accreditation System intends to simplify operations for companies across states. Strengthened quality norms and stringent penalties seek to curb the sale of substandard seeds. The regulatory framework is designed to support innovation while protecting consumer interests.

Role of Seed Committees and Testing Infrastructure

The Central and State Seed Committees will set minimum standards for germination, purity, seed health, and other traits. They will advise governments on registration and regulation of seed producers and dealers. Seed testing laboratories will ensure compliance with prescribed standards. Seed inspectors will have legal powers to enforce the law, including inspection and seizure.

Farmers’ Rights and Legal Framework

The Bill explicitly protects farmers’ rights to save and exchange seeds, except when sold under a brand name. It references the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act to safeguard farmers’ interests. However, critics argue that the Bill’s centralised approach may undermine these rights and restrict traditional practices.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Discuss in the light of India’s agricultural reforms the challenges and opportunities in regulating seed quality and farmers’ rights.
2. Critically examine the role of regulatory bodies in balancing ease of doing business with the protection of small farmers in India’s seed sector.
3. Explain the significance of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001, and discuss how new seed laws can complement or conflict with it.
4. With suitable examples, discuss the impact of multinational corporations on seed sovereignty and biodiversity conservation in developing countries.

Answer Hints:

1. Discuss in the light of India’s agricultural reforms the challenges and opportunities in regulating seed quality and farmers’ rights.

1. Challenge – Ensuring high-quality seeds while preventing adulteration and substandard varieties in a vast market.
2. Opportunity – Modern seed laws can integrate scientific advancements to boost crop yields and farmer incomes.
3. Challenge – Balancing farmers’ traditional rights to save and exchange seeds with commercial seed trade regulations.
4. Opportunity – Regulatory clarity can encourage innovation, seed diversity, and formal seed markets.
5. Challenge – Preventing corporate monopolies that may raise seed costs and limit farmer choices.
6. Opportunity – Strengthened legal frameworks can protect farmers’ rights and promote sustainable agriculture.

2. Critically examine the role of regulatory bodies in balancing ease of doing business with the protection of small farmers in India’s seed sector.

1. Regulatory bodies set seed quality standards ensuring farmer access to reliable seeds.
2. Central and State Seed Committees advise governments and oversee seed registration and testing.
3. Central Accreditation System simplifies multi-state operations for seed companies, promoting business ease.
4. Excessive centralisation risks marginalising small farmers’ interests and traditional practices.
5. Seed inspectors empowered to enforce laws can curb malpractice but may create compliance burdens.
6. Effective regulation requires transparency and inclusivity to protect small farmers while encouraging growth.

3. Explain the significance of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act, 2001, and discuss how new seed laws can complement or conflict with it.

1. The Act safeguards farmers’ rights to save, use, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds, protecting traditional knowledge.
2. It provides intellectual property rights to plant breeders while ensuring benefit sharing with farmers.
3. New seed laws referencing this Act aim to harmonise seed quality regulation with farmers’ rights protection.
4. Potential conflict arises if new laws centralise authority, restricting farmers’ seed use or favouring corporate interests.
5. Complementarity depends on integrating farmers’ protections without compromising seed quality and trade norms.
6. Alignment with international treaties on biodiversity is essential for coherent legal frameworks.

4. With suitable examples, discuss the impact of multinational corporations on seed sovereignty and biodiversity conservation in developing countries.

1. MNCs often promote patented, hybrid, or genetically modified seeds that can reduce farmer seed diversity.
2. Example – Monsanto’s introduction of Bt cotton in India increased yields but raised concerns over seed dependency and costs.
3. Seed sovereignty is threatened when farmers lose control over seed saving and exchange due to IP laws.
4. Biodiversity conservation suffers as traditional varieties are replaced by uniform commercial seeds.
5. MNC dominance can lead to monopolistic pricing, limiting smallholder farmers’ access to affordable seeds.
6. Countermeasures include strengthening local seed systems, farmer rights laws, and biodiversity-friendly policies.