India to introduce new Seed and Pesticide Acts

Seed Act Pesticide Act Indian agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan farmer protection

India's Union Agriculture Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has announced plans to introduce new legislation for seeds and pesticides to replace the existing laws enacted in 1966. The move follows demands from farmers during the ‘Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan’ to address issues regarding substandard and fake agricultural products.

The proposed Seed Act aims to protect farmers from financial losses caused by fraudulent seeds by implementing more stringent punishments, including heavy penalties and imprisonment for traders and companies involved in malpractices. The government intends to create a robust regulatory framework that includes a transparent, end-to-end traceability system for seed quality while safeguarding rights over traditional seeds.

To finalize the draft, the Ministry is conducting extensive consultations. Chouhan reported receiving approximately 18,000 inputs from farmers and organizations. High-level discussions are being held with major farmer organizations, including the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh and various factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, to incorporate ground-level feedback into the new laws.

Entities

All India Kisan Coordination Committee · Bharatiya Kisan Sangh · Bharatiya Kisan Union · Narendra Modi · Shivraj Singh Chouhan

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The government has received approximately 18,000 inputs from farmers and organizations regarding the proposed changes. desitalkchicago.com · newsable.asianetnews.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The government intends to introduce new legislation for seeds and pesticides to replace the existing 1966 Acts. desitalkchicago.com · bhaskarlive.in · newsable.asianetnews.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The proposed Seed Act will include more stringent punishments, such as heavy penalties and imprisonment, for those selling fake or substandard seeds. bhaskarlive.in
[○ 1 SOURCE] The new law aims to establish a transparent, end-to-end traceability system for seed quality. bhaskarlive.in

Sources

Clear need for new legislation concerning seeds, pesticides: Shivraj Singh Chouhan [desitalkchicago.com]

1 day ago

Centre to roll out new law to protect farmers from fake seeds [bhaskarlive.in]

3 days ago

New Seed, Pesticide Acts in pipeline, says Agri Minister Chouhan [newsable.asianetnews.com]

1 day ago