Parliament Question: Impact of Substandard Seeds, Fertilizers and Pesticides

OIH GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2705 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16TH DECEMBER, 2025 IMPACT OF SUBSTANDARD SEEDS, FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES

2705. SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has conducted a scientific study through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research or any other organization to determine the negative impact of counterfeit and substandard seeds, fertilizers and pesticides on agricultural production sold in Rajasthan and other states;

(b) if so, the details of the findings of such scientific studies conducted during the last three years;

(c) whether any action is being taken by the Government against companies or organizations producing counterfeit and substandard fertilizers and seeds;

(d) if so, the details of actions taken against such sellers by the Government during the last three years, year-wise; and

(e) the details of concrete action plan of the Government to provide quality seeds to the farmers on their demand? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृषि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a) & (b): As such, ICAR has not done any scientific study to determine the negative impact of counterfeit and substandard seeds, fertilizers and pesticides on agricultural production sold in Rajasthan and other states.

1However, the Government has introduced the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) portal as a digital platform to trace the end-to-end traceability of seeds from production and certification to distribution by automating processes such as seed production tracking, licensing, inventory management, quality assurance, and seed certification.

(c) & (d): The Government mainly through State Government takes strict action against companies producing counterfeit or substandard seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides under various laws such as the Seeds Act, Fertilizer Control Order, and Insecticides Act. Quality Control Inspectors collect samples, test them, and if found spurious, they can seize stocks, issue stop-sale orders, cancel licences, and file court cases. Farmers can also lodge complaints in cases of crop failure due to fake inputs. The Government of India frequently issues advisories to all States and UTs to ensure strict implementation of existing laws and to strengthen surveillance at manufacturing units, storage sites, and retail outlets to curb the sale of counterfeit seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Over the past four years, a total of 8,09,033 seed samples were collected, of which 3,33,532 were identified as substandard. During this period, 15,661 warnings were issued, 17,551 stop-sale orders were enforced, and 286 cases resulted in forfeiture.

Under section 21 of the Insecticide Act, 1968, 12316 officers of various State Governments and 195 Officers of Central Government are notified as Insecticide Inspectors that have been vested with powers to search premises, seize documents, stop distribution or sale of counterfeit insecticides. These inspectors across the nation regularly conduct inspections of the manufacturing firms and dealers/retailers in the area of their jurisdiction to check the sale of any misbranded/counterfeit/ banned pesticides.

In last 3 years (2022-23 to 2024-25), total 242095 samples have been analyzed, 6540 samples (2.70%) were found misbranded and 1937 prosecutions have been launched against the firms who were found involved in the manufacture, sale and illegal import of sub- standard/low quality pesticides and in 247 cases the accused have been convicted by the Hon’ble Court.

(e): To check sale of poor quality seed, the Govt. enforces strict regulations under the Seeds Act and related orders. The Seed Inspectors regularly draw and test samples, and take punitive action against substandard or expired seeds. To strengthen quality assurance, the Government has established 178 seed testing laboratories and 25 State Seed Certification Agencies. Also, the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) portal, a digital platform, is also helping to improve the quality and transparency of the seed supply chain.

Government of lndia also provides the financial assistance to the States/UTs and implementing agencies for Strengthening of Quality Control Arrangement viz. for setting up of new testing laboratory, upgrading existing testing laboratory, Seed Health laboratory, DNA Finger Printing laboratory etc. under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM).

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