NEW DELHI, 18 January 2026: India’s Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan today outlined the key provisions of the proposed Seed Act 2026, describing it as a “historic reform” aimed at safeguarding farmers, improving seed quality and enhancing transparency across the supply chain.
Speaking to the media, Chouhan said the legislation will introduce a nationwide digital traceability system, under which every seed packet will carry a QR code. Farmers scanning the code will be able to access detailed information on the seed’s origin, production source, distributor and retailer. The move is expected to curb the circulation of counterfeit and substandard seeds, while enabling faster enforcement action against errant suppliers.
“Farmers will now know the complete story of every seed,” Chouhan said, adding that the system will deter misleading practices by companies and dealers. Once implemented, inferior seeds will be flagged immediately, he said, with strict penalties imposed on offenders.
Under the new framework, registration of all seed companies will become mandatory. Only authorised entities will be allowed to operate, effectively eliminating fake firms from the market. Details of registered companies will be made publicly available to ensure farmers buy from credible sources.
Chouhan also sought to dispel concerns around traditional seed practices, confirming that farmers will continue to be free to use, exchange and share their own seeds locally without restriction. “The age-old system of seed exchange in villages will remain unaffected,” he said.
The proposed legislation significantly strengthens penalties for violations. Fines could rise to INR 3m (USD 36,000) from the current INR 500, with provisions for imprisonment of up to three years in cases of deliberate wrongdoing.
The minister added that public institutions such as ICAR, agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) will remain central to seed development. Imported seeds will undergo stringent evaluation before approval, while domestic producers will be encouraged to scale high-quality output.
To support implementation, the government plans nationwide farmer awareness campaigns through its 731 KVKs. Chouhan said the outdated Seed Act of 1966 will be replaced with a modern, technology-driven framework, while reaffirming that states’ rights over agriculture will remain intact.
“Our goal is to ensure the right seed for every farmer,” he said.