Context: The Union Government is consulting farmers on a new Seeds Bill to replace the Seeds Act, 1966, citing changing agricultural practices and concerns over fake/substandard seeds.
Seeds Act, 1966: Existing legislation regulating the quality of certain seeds marketed for agriculture; the government considers it inadequate for current requirements.
Proposed Seeds Bill: Seeks stronger regulation of seed quality, including action against fake seeds, while protecting farmers’ rights and conserving traditional seeds.
Traceability: Proposed system would enable identification and tracking of seeds through the supply chain, helping farmers verify seed sources.
Coverage gap: Government stated that around 70% of seeds used by Indian farmers currently fall outside the purview of the existing Act.
Pesticide Management: Alongside the Seeds Bill, the government is considering a new framework to regulate and identify substandard pesticides.
