{"id":17212,"date":"2026-01-20T12:51:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-20T07:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=17212"},"modified":"2026-01-20T12:52:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-20T07:22:07","slug":"historic-reforms-for-farmers-union-agriculture-minister-shri-shivraj-singh-chouhan-shares-details-of-new-seed-act","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/?p=17212","title":{"rendered":"Historic reforms for farmers\u2019: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan shares details of new Seed Act"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Historic reforms for farmers\u2019: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan shares details of new Seed Act<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n


\n\u2018Strict action against fake seeds; traditional seed systems to remain protected\u2019: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2018Fake seed menace to be fully addressed for farmers\u2019 relief\u2019: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Proposal for penalty up to \u20b930 lakh and stringent punishment for selling substandard seeds\u2019: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Traceability to ensure instant identification of fake or poor-quality seeds, bring greater transparency\u2019: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2018Mandatory registration of seed companies; unauthorised sellers barred from seed sales\u2019: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Posted On: 16 JAN 2026 5:17PM by PIB Delhi<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/div>\n

Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers\u2019 Welfare, and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan today briefed the media in detail about the features of the new Seed Act (Seed Act 2026) and its impact on farmers. The Union Minister said the proposed legislation is a historic step aimed at ensuring farmers\u2019 protection, seed quality and transparency across the system.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFarmers will now know the complete story of every seed\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Responding to media queries, Shri Chouhan said a nationwide seed traceability system will now be established. \u201cWe have tried to create a system through which it can be known where the seed was produced, which dealer supplied it and who sold it,\u201d he said. Every seed packet will carry a QR code which, when scanned, will allow farmers to access complete information about its origin. This will not only prevent the sale of fake or substandard seeds, but will also enable swift action against those responsible if such seeds enter the market.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSubstandard seeds will not enter the system at all\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Union agriculture minister said once traceability is implemented, fake or poor-quality seeds will be identified immediately. \u201cInferior seeds will not come into the system, and even if they do, they will be caught. Those who supply such seeds will be penalised,\u201d he said. This will put an end to the arbitrary practices of companies and dealers who mislead farmers.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRegistration of seed companies to be mandatory\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Shri Chouhan said every seed company will now have to be registered, making it clear which companies are authorised to operate. \u201cDetails of registered companies will be available, and no unauthorised seller will be allowed to sell seeds,\u201d he said. This will eliminate fake companies from the market and ensure that farmers receive seeds only from credible sources.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo restriction on traditional seeds\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Union Minister also dispelled concerns that the new law would impose restrictions on traditional seeds used by farmers. \u201cFarmers can sow their own seeds and share seeds with other farmers. The traditional system of seed exchange at the local level will continue without any problem,\u201d he said. He cited the example of rural areas where farmers exchange seeds during sowing and return them later with an additional quantity, adding that such practices will remain unaffected.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPenalty up to \u20b930 lakh and punishment for selling substandard seeds\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan said there will be zero tolerance for negligence in seed quality. \u201cEarlier, the penalty was up to \u20b9500. Now, there is a proposal to impose a fine of up to \u20b930 lakh, and if someone deliberately commits an offence, there will also be provision for punishment,\u201d he said. While acknowledging that not all companies are at fault, he stressed that those who cheat farmers will face strict action.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cICAR and Indian companies to remain strong players\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The minister said the Seed Act has provisions at three levels: the public sector (Indian Council of Agricultural Research, agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras), domestic companies that produce high-quality seeds, and a proper evaluation mechanism for foreign seeds. \u201cSeeds imported from abroad will be approved only after thorough testing and evaluation. Our public institutions and domestic private sector will be strengthened so that quality seeds reach farmers,\u201d the Union Minister said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWide awareness campaign for farmers\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

On the issue of lack of awareness among farmers, Shri Chouhan said initiatives such as the \u2018Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan\u2019 have been launched to ensure scientists, officials and progressive farmers reach villages to spread awareness. He said all 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) across the country will play a key role in educating farmers about seed quality, seed selection and grievance redressal mechanisms.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrict punishment for those selling fake seeds\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Reiterating the government\u2019s stand, the Union Minister said anyone who deliberately produces or sells substandard seeds could face imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to \u20b930 lakh. \u201cEarlier, the law was weak. Now we are making it effective so that farmers get justice,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOutdated 1966 law to be modernised\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Shri Chouhan said the existing Seed Act of 1966 belonged to an era without advanced technology or data systems. \u201cWe are now bringing a modern law based on traceability, digital records and accountability, so that no farmer is cheated in the future,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStates\u2019 rights to remain intact\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Addressing concerns that the new law could dilute states\u2019 powers, the Union Minister said, \u201cAgriculture is a state subject. The rights of state governments will remain intact. The Centre will only coordinate, and the law will be implemented with the cooperation of states,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOur goal is to ensure the right seed for every farmer\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Summing up, Shri Chouhan said the government\u2019s objective is to ensure that every farmer gets quality seeds. \u201cGood companies will be encouraged, and those who do wrong will face strict action. That is the essence of this law,\u201d he said. He added that through Seed Act 2026, the government is taking a decisive step towards providing farmers with safe, reliable and productive seeds, strengthening trust and boosting agricultural productivity across the country.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Historic reforms for farmers\u2019: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan shares details of new Seed Act \u2018Strict action against fake seeds; traditional seed systems to remain protected\u2019: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan \u2018Fake seed menace to be fully addressed for farmers\u2019 relief\u2019: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan \u2018Proposal for penalty up to \u20b930 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":17213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-education-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17212"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17212\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17215,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17212\/revisions\/17215"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/17213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=17212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducationoverview.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=17212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}