NEW DELHI, 11 May 2025: In a move to safeguard farmers from spurious seeds and promote the supply of certified, high-quality planting material, the Union government is working on amending the Seeds Act, 1966.
The revised law will introduce seed traceability and tougher measures against counterfeit supplies, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced on Thursday.
"We are in discussion with states and stakeholders to amend the Seed Act to bring in strict penalties and ensure traceability of seeds," Chouhan said. The changes aim to curb the sale of fake and substandard seeds, which continue to undermine farm productivity and farmer trust.
Currently, under the Seeds Act, seed certification is not mandatory, and private players often sell seeds under a “truthfully labeled” category — outside the oversight of official seed certification bodies.
The proposed amendment seeks to make certification and traceability compulsory, and to penalize the production or sale of fake, adulterated, or poor-quality seeds and insecticides. An official confirmed that the changes would ensure accountability across the entire seed supply chain.
In a significant precedent, the Haryana Assembly passed the Seeds (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2025, in March this year. It provides for imprisonment of 1–3 years and fines up to ₹5 lakh for offenders dealing in counterfeit or substandard seeds.
To further improve transparency, the Centre is urging states to adopt the Seed Authentication, Traceability and Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal. The platform aims to track private agencies, dealers, and distributors involved in the seed business. So far, 24 states have onboarded the system.
The amendments, once finalized, could mark a major step forward in securing the agricultural supply chain and improving farmer outcomes through reliable, traceable seed inputs.
Image credit: aseemamag.com
