Government will introduce new Seeds Act soon, says Agriculture Minister

The Centre will soon introduce a Seeds Act to ensure that farmers receive high quality seeds, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said in New Delhi on Thursday (October 30, 2025).

Two Seeds Bills, first introduced by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2004, and a draft Seeds Bill published by the Narendra Modi government in 2019, had to be withdrawn due to opposition from farmers’ organisations. The seed industry and the scientific community have been demanding amendments to the Seeds Act of 1966 to address the new issues and developments in the sector.

Mr. Chouhan was addressing a national conclave of Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) here. The government is taking strict action against counterfeit seeds and pesticides, and would introduce stringent legislation to protect farmers, the Minister said.

The 2019 draft Bill had clauses, including the provision to constitute a Central Seed Committee to advise the Central and State governments on matters arising out of the administration of the proposed Seeds Act. Farmers’ organisations said the draft Bill favoured the seed industry, and rejected any such legislation.

Mr. Chouhan also expressed concern over price disparity and said farmers often did not get fair prices for their produce, while consumers paid more. “This gap must be reduced,” he said.

The Minister asked FPOs to transform farmers from producers to entrepreneurs and traders so that the full benefit reached them directly. Farmers must look for value addition to their produce, he said. “Our focus is on integrated farming for the benefit of farmers. Relying solely on grains will not suffice. Allied activities must be promoted to enhance farmers’ income,” he said.

“Farmers should not remain only producers but become entrepreneurs through agriculture. Processing and value addition will increase their income,” Mr. Chouhan said.