Context:
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare released the Draft Seeds Bill, 2023 on November 12, inviting public comments till December 11. The proposed legislation seeks to modernise India’s seed regulatory framework by amending the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, in line with technological advancements, while balancing seed quality assurance, ease of doing business, and farmers’ rights.
Key Highlights:
Government Initiative / Policy Details:
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The Bill aims to ensure quality seeds, reduce compliance burdens, and promote transparency in the seed sector.
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India recorded a seed surplus of 46.29 lakh quintals in 2023–24, with availability exceeding national requirements.
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Clearly distinguishes farmers, dealers, distributors, and producers as separate legal entities.
Regulatory & Institutional Mechanisms:
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Mandatory registration of all seed processing units with State Governments.
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Provision for a Central Accreditation System to streamline and standardise approvals.
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Establishment of:
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Central Seed Committee – to recommend minimum seed quality standards.
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State Seed Committees – to advise on registration and implementation.
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Seed Varieties & Quality Control:
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Creation of a National Register of Seed Varieties.
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Prescribes field trials to assess the value for cultivation and use (VCU) of new varieties.
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Stricter quality norms compared to the 2019 draft; move towards liberalising seed imports.
Rights & Liabilities:
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Farmers’ Rights: Farmers can save, use, exchange, share, or sell farm seeds, unless sold under a brand name, safeguarding seed sovereignty.
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Penalties:
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Fines ranging from â‚ą50,000 to â‚ą30 lakh.
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Imprisonment up to three years for serious violations.
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Concerns & Criticism:
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Fears of higher cultivation costs due to compliance requirements.
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Concerns that regulatory complexity may favour corporate seed companies over small and marginal farmers.
Relevant Prelims Points:
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Seeds Act, 1966: Primary law governing seed quality and certification in India.
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Seeds (Control) Order, 1983: Regulates seed distribution and pricing.
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Seed Sovereignty: Farmers’ right to control and reuse seeds.
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National Register of Seed Varieties: Centralised record of approved seed varieties.
Benefits, Challenges & Impact:
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Benefits: Improved seed quality, consumer confidence, global trade facilitation.
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Challenges: Implementation capacity, farmer awareness, affordability.
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Impact: Potential transformation of the seed ecosystem with higher productivity and accountability.
Relevant Mains Points:
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Governance Aspect: Balancing regulation with ease of doing business in agriculture.
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Economic Dimension: Seed sector’s role in agricultural productivity and food security.
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Farmer Welfare: Protecting traditional rights while encouraging innovation.
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Comparative Aspect: Shift from control-oriented to quality- and technology-driven regulation.
Way Forward:
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Ensure robust stakeholder consultation, especially with farmer organisations.
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Strengthen extension services to educate farmers on compliance and rights.
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Introduce safeguards for small farmers to prevent market concentration.
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Periodic review of standards to keep pace with biotechnology and climate-resilient seeds.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS 2: Governance – regulatory reforms, institutional mechanisms
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GS 3: Economy – agriculture, food security, seed industry
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GS Prelims: Seeds Act, seed sovereignty, regulatory bodies