Farmer associations in Andhra Pradesh oppose Seed Bill-2025

Farmers’ organisations in Andhra Pradesh have strongly opposed the Union government’s proposed Seed Bill-2025, describing it as pro-corporate move that is detrimental to the farming community.

The organisations voiced their objection at a roundtable organised by the Andhra Pradesh Rythu and Kaulu Farmer Associations (farmers and tenant farmers’ associations) here on Sunday.

The meeting urged the State government to talk to all the farmer associations before communicating its stance to the Centre, emphasising protection of farmers’ rights and preventing undue corporate control over seeds.

Former Minister and convener of the Coordination Committee of Farmer Associations Vadde Shobhanadreeswara Rao stated that the Bill was intended to bring agriculture within the Central government’s control, undermining the State-level autonomy. The State government should immediately convene a meeting with all farmer’ associations to address their concerns.

Agricultural scientist B. Sharath Babu noted that the bill could completely erode farmers’ rights. Despite investing heavily in fertilisers and pesticides, farmers would receive minimal compensation from seed companies for crop failures, while dependency on corporate seeds would increase annually. 

Agriculture scientist Venugopal said that in the past, farmers had to pay large royalties to the seed companies, and the Bill could exacerbate financial losses for the farming community.

Senior leader V. Keshav Rao highlighted that the Bill was being introduced to prepare for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States, which would allow unrestricted import of genetically modified seed. He warned that the legislation would prevent farmers from seeking legal remedies for losses caused by corporate-controlled seed.

The meeting was chaired by V. Krishnayya, State president of the Farmers’ Association. M. Haribabu, State general secretary of the Tenant Farmers’ Association, and other farmer leaders spoke.