Tougher Seed Law in the Works: Shivraj Singh Chouhan to Hear Farmers’ Voices Before Finalising New Seed Bill
No More Compromise on Seed Quality: Centre Plans Tough New Law; Shivraj to Engage Farmer Leaders on September 10
From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Farmers to Have Their Say on New Seed Law as Shri Shivraj Leads Key Consultation
The Government of India is preparing to introduce a new and stringent Seed Act aimed at protecting the country’s farmers from the losses caused by fake and substandard seeds. The proposed legislation is part of the Modi government’s efforts to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a prosperous and self-reliant farming community. Before finalising the proposed legislation, Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan will hold a high-level consultation with senior leaders of major farmer organisations from across the country on September 10 at 4:00 PM at Krishi Bhawan, New Delhi.
The consultation, convened by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is aimed at incorporating farmers’ ground-level experiences, suggestions and concerns directly into the draft seed legislation. The government intends to build a robust and effective regulatory framework to curb the activities of seed mafias and protect farmers from fraudulent and poor-quality seeds.
The proposed new Seed Act is expected to provide for stringent legal action against companies and traders involved in the sale of fake, adulterated or substandard seeds, including heavy penalties and imprisonment. Poor-quality seeds can wipe out months of a farmer’s hard-earned income and years of effort and labour. The government’s stated position is that the new law must ensure the highest standards of seed quality and a transparent, end-to-end traceability system, while also safeguarding farmers’ rights over traditional seeds.
The consultation on September 10 will bring farmer representatives together from across the country. Senior leadership of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, various factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU), All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), Kisan Mahapanchayat, Bharatiya Krishak Samaj, Gaon Kisan Unnayan and the Society for Independent Farmers Association (SIFA) will participate in the meeting.
Ground-level farmer representatives from several states will also put forward their views before the Union Agriculture Minister. These include representatives of the Karnataka Raitha Sangha, Telangana Raitha Sangha, Maharashtra’s Shetkari Organisation, Gujarat’s Khedut Samaj, the National Kisan Progressive Association from Rajasthan and Bihar, Tamil Nadu’s Vivasayigal Sangam, Jharkhand’s Pragatisheel Krishi Manch, and a farmers’ organisation from Kottayam in Kerala, among others.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan has emphasised that, under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is committed to framing policies through dialogue and consensus with farmers.
The consultation, being held ahead of the upcoming Parliament session, is expected to mark a significant step towards creating a stronger regulatory framework and protecting Indian agriculture from the persistent threat of fake and substandard seeds.
