THE Centre is preparing to introduce a new Seed Act aimed at protecting the country’s farmers from the losses caused by fake and substandard seeds by incorporating more stringent punishment for culprits indulging in malpractices, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday. The proposed Seed Act is expected to provide for more stringent legal action against companies and traders involved in the sale of fake, adulterated or substandard seeds, including heavy penalties and imprisonment, it said. Before finalising the proposed legislation, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will hold a high-level consultation with senior leaders of major farmer organisations from across the country on Thursday at Krishi Bhawan in the national capital.

 

The consultation, convened by the Minister, is aimed at incorporating farmers’ ground-level suggestions and concerns directly into the draft seed legislation. The Government intends to build a robust and effective regulatory framework to curb the activities of seed mafias and protect farmers from fraudulent and poorquality seeds, the statement said. The Government’s stated position is that the new law must ensure the highest standards of seed quality and a transparent, end-to-end traceability system, while also safeguarding farmers’ rights over traditional seeds.