Parliament Question: Impact of Proposed Seeds Bill, 2025

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4132 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH MARCH, 2026 IMPACT OF PROPOSED SEEDS BILL, 2025 4132. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government will release the full impact assessment of the proposed Seeds Bill, 2025 on small and marginal farmers before introducing it in Parliament; (b) the safeguards that would be included in the Bill to protect farmers’ right to save and reuse their seeds without liability; (c) whether the Government has consulted State Governments on seed testing and regional adaptability provisions and if so, the details of consultations and revisions; (d) the details of measures to ensure affordable seed access for small holders if the proposed regulatory changes come into effect; and (e) whether the Government has examined the overriding powers of the Central Government under Sections 38 and 41 diluting the constitutional role of States in agriculture, which is a State subject? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a) to (e): The draft Seeds Bill was placed in the public domain by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare for pre-legislative consultation and numerous suggestions have been received from various stakeholders including Farmers, State Governments, Farmers’ Organizations etc. These suggestions are being deliberated upon so as to safeguard the farmers’ interest, livelihoods. The draft Seeds Bill aims to facilitate production and supply of quality seeds and for matters connected therewith, regulate the quality of seeds and planting materials and ensure the availability of quality seeds for farmers, curb the sale of spurious and poor quality seeds for protecting the rights of the farmers. The draft Bill complements the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001 which already safeguard farmers’ rights and traditional varieties. Further, the draft Seeds Bill does not propose to dilute the role of State Governments; rather, it proposes responsibilities for States in implementation, enforcement, and seed regulation etc. .*****