Seeds Bill not to harm farmers’ rights: Chouhan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a meeting with about 20 farmers’ organisations here on Thursday (September 10, 2026) on the drafts of the Seeds Bill and the Pesticides Management Bill. Mr. Chouhan told the leaders of the farm outfits that the Narendra Modi government will finalise every policy on the basis of consensus after discussions with farmers.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Chouhan said the present Seeds Bill was passed in 1066, and it is no longer in tune with the contemporary farm system. He said 70% of seeds used by Indian farmers are outside the purview of the existing Act, and it is necessary to crack down on fake seeds. He said the Government is committed to protecting farmers’ rights and that traditional seeds will be conserved. “Traceability system will make it easier for farmers to identify the right seed,” he said. 

Union Agriculture Secretary Atish Chandra and other senior officials also attended the meeting. Leaders of Sangh Parivar’s farmers’ outfit Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, various factions of Bharatiya Kisan Union that are close to the Government, All India Kisan Coordination Committee (AIKCC), Kisan Mahapanchayat, and several other organisations presented their views on the Bills. Mr. Chouhan said there is a need for a new Pesticide Management Act to identify substandard pesticides. 

The Minister said his Ministry received about 18,000 suggestions on the Seeds Bill from farmers and farmer organisations. “The process of deliberation will continue. No deadline is being fixed for it right now. If farmers and farmer organisations give more suggestions, then we will consider them, and then we will move forward,” he added. 

He maintained that the proposed law will not affect the rights of farmers. “Farmers will be able to freely use, exchange among themselves, and sell their traditional and farmer-variety seeds. Registration will not be mandatory for traditional seeds, although if any farmer wants to get his variety registered, then the facility of voluntary registration will be available,” he said.