The government plans to table a Bill to amend the Seed Act 1967, with stringent provisions to regulate quality of these farm inputs during the budget session of Parliament, agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Thursday.
“We are going to bring the changes in seed law in the budget session of parliament in early 2026,” Chouhan said at the national FPO conclave 2025. He stated that there would be provisions in the Bill to check the sale and distribution of substandard quality seeds.
The Act regulates the quality of seeds available for sale. The legislation has been amended multiple times to improve seed quality and ensure access to high-quality seeds for farmers.
Chouhan had earlier stated that the centre is holding discussion with states and other stakeholders for amending the seed act aimed to introduce stringent measures to curb the sale of counterfeit and substandard seeds to the farmers.
Under the existing provision, certification of seed is not mandatory while private players are currently selling seed as ‘truthfully labeled’. These types of seeds do not come under the purview of the department of seed certification.
The government is aiming to introduce mandatory traceability, certification and quality control provisions to ensure seed quality and curb the sale of substandard or counterfeit seeds.
Meanwhile, states, including Haryana and Punjab, have amended their respective Seed Acts in 2025 with tougher penalties for violations and enhanced enforcement measures.
Haryana seed legislation provides for stringent provisions including imprisonment of one to three years and fine up to Rs 5 lakh to prevent the production and sale of substandard or fake seeds.
Meanwhile,for ensuring seed traceability, the agriculture ministry is pursuing states to be part of seed authentication, traceability and holistic inventory (SATHI) portal.
The portal will track the private agencies involved in seed dealers and distributors and the whole seed supply chain has been planned to be tracked through the portal.