Seed Management ( UPSC Prelims)

News Context

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has unveiled the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025.

About Draft Seeds Bill, 2025

The initiative aims to supersede the Seeds Act of 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order of 1983. Its objective is to regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials available in the market.

Key Highlights

     ○ No unregistered seed is to be sold, except for farmers’ variety and those produced solely for export purposes.
  ● Mandatory registration on the SATHI portal—a national platform developed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in collaboration with the National Informatics Centre (NIC)—to ensure complete traceability of seeds from their origin to the farmer.
      ○ Seed varieties must adhere to the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards.
  ● Central and State Seed Committees will be established by the Central Government and State Governments, respectively.
  ● Registration Sub-Committees will recommend seed varieties for registration after evaluating their claims.
      ○ A National Register on Seed Varieties will be maintained, listing all seed varieties under the management of the Registrar.
  ● Farmers’ rights are protected, allowing them to save, use, exchange, or sell their seeds (such as traditional varieties) without needing brand registration, although they cannot sell them under a brand name.
  ● Central and State Seed Testing Laboratories will be established.

Comparative Analysis of Seeds Act, 1966 and Draft Seeds Bill, 2025

Here's a paraphrased version of the content with important terms highlighted in bold:

Aspect Seeds Act, 1966 Draft Seeds Bill, 2025
Regulatory Scope Focused only on Notified Varieties Includes all commercially sold seed varieties
Seed Registration Relies on government notification and is not mandatory for every variety. Mandatory registration for every seed variety before trade; previously notified varieties are considered registered.
Quality Assurance Mechanisms Offers basic standards for germination and chastity, with a limited testing framework. Implements stricter quality marks, digital labeling, QR traceability, and more accredited laboratories.
Farmer Rights Provides limited protections; farmers lacked a structured compensation avenue. Allows farmers to save, exchange, and sell their seeds.
Market Responsibility Weak oversight led to limited seeds in circulation. Enhanced monitoring through enrolment, labeling, and traceability conditions.
Penalty Penalties were low and outdated. Introduces a three-tier penalty system (trivial, minor, and major).
Technological Adaptation Did not address hybrids, GM seeds, or advancements in biotechnologies. Incorporates biotech norms, regulates seed imports, and establishes oversight for modern technologies.

Aspect	Seeds Act, 1966	Draft Seeds Bill, 2025
Regulatory Scope	Focused only on Notified Varieties	Includes all commercially sold seed varieties
Seed Registration	Relies on government notification and is not mandatory for every variety.	Mandatory registration for every seed variety before trade; previously notified varieties are considered registered.
Quality Assurance Mechanisms	Offers basic standards for germination and chastity, with a limited testing framework.	Implements stricter quality marks, digital labeling, QR traceability, and more accredited laboratories.
Farmer Rights	Provides limited protections; farmers lacked a structured compensation avenue.	Allows farmers to save, exchange, and sell their seeds.
Market Responsibility	Weak oversight led to limited seeds in circulation.	Enhanced monitoring through enrolment, labeling, and traceability conditions.
Penalty	Penalties were low and outdated.	Introduces a three-tier penalty system (trivial, minor, and major).
Technological Adaptation	Did not address hybrids, GM seeds, or advancements in biotechnologies.	Incorporates biotech norms, regulates seed imports, and establishes oversight for modern technologies.

Overview of India’s Seed Sector

● 5th largest Seed Industry in the World (the USA has the largest industry).
  ● Seed exports amount to USD 150 million within a global export market valued at USD 15 billion (less than 1%) in 2023-24.
      ○ The seed programme follows the limited generations’ system for seed multiplication in a phased manner.
      ○ Recognizes three generations of seeds:
    ● Breeder Seed: Progeny of the nucleus seed of a variety and is produced by the originating breeder or by a sponsored breeder.
      ● ICAR promotes sponsored breeder seed production programme through National Seeds Corporation/State Farms Corporation of India, Krishi Vigyan Kendras etc.
    ● Foundation Seed: Progeny of breeder seed.
          ○ Production of foundation seed has been entrusted to the NSC, SFCI, State Seeds Corporation, State Departments of Agriculture and private seed producers.
    ● Certified Seed: It is the progeny of foundation seed.

Key Initiatives Taken

● National Seeds Policy, 2002: Focuses on seed production, quality assurance, and the distribution and marketing of seeds.
  ● Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001: Establishes a robust system for protecting plant varieties, safeguarding the rights of farmers and plant breeders, and promoting the development of new plant varieties.
  ● Seed Village Programme (Beej Gram Yojana): Aims to enhance the quality of seeds saved by farmers.
  ● National Seed Reserve: Ensures the availability of seeds during climatic disruptions.
      ○ Odisha has introduced a Roadmap to incorporate Landraces into formal seed systems. Landraces are genetically diverse crop populations that have evolved through traditional farming practices, combining natural adaptation with human selection.
      ○ Other initiatives include the National Seeds Project Phase-III (NSP-III) and the Seed Management 2.0 system, among others.

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