Draft Seeds Bill and Pesticides Management Bill: Government Assures Protection of Farmers' Rights

Gist Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held consultations with major farmers' organizations regarding the proposed draft Seeds Bill and Pesticides Management Bill. The government aims to replace outdated legislation to regulate agricultural inputs, curb the circulation of fake seeds, and identify substandard pesticides without infringing on traditional farming practices. Aspirants should track this development as it directly impacts agricultural governance, input quality control, and farmers' rights, which are core components of the Indian economy syllabus. Background The current regulatory framework for seeds in India is governed by the Seeds Act, 1966 , which the government notes has become obsolete in the face of contemporary farming practices. Under the existing legal regime, nearly 70% of seeds utilized by Indian farmers fall outside the purview of the current Act, creating a massive regulatory vacuum. This vacuum has led to the proliferation of "fake" and substandard agricultural inputs, prompting the government to draft new, comprehensive legislation for both seeds and pesticides to protect crop yields and farmer incomes. Key Pointers The proposed legislation intends to mandate a traceability system for seeds, which…