Agri Minister Chouhan to Consult Farmers on New Seed Law
Agriculture Minister to seek farmer inputs on proposed stringent legislation against fake and substandard seeds
- Shivraj Singh Chouhan will meet farmer leaders on September 10 in New Delhi.
- The consultation will focus on the draft Seed Act and farmer concerns.
- Proposed law may include stricter penalties and imprisonment for violations.
- Government plans stronger seed quality standards and end-to-end traceability.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th Sept: Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will hold a high-level consultation with farmer leaders on September 10 to seek their views on the proposed new Seed Act aimed at protecting farmers from fake and substandard seeds.
The consultation will be held at 4 pm at Krishi Bhawan in New Delhi and is intended to incorporate farmers’ ground-level experiences, suggestions and concerns into the proposed legislation.
The government is preparing a stringent regulatory framework to curb the sale of fake, adulterated and substandard seeds and protect farmers from financial losses arising from poor-quality planting material.
The proposed legislation is expected to provide for strict legal action against companies and traders involved in the sale of fake or substandard seeds, including heavy penalties and imprisonment. The government also intends to strengthen seed quality standards and introduce an end-to-end traceability system.
The proposed framework will also seek to safeguard farmers’ rights over traditional seeds, according to the government.
Senior representatives of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh, various factions of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, All India Kisan Coordination Committee, Kisan Mahapanchayat, Bharatiya Krishak Samaj, Gaon Kisan Unnayan and Society for Independent Farmers Association are expected to participate in the consultation.
Farmer representatives from several states, including Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand and Kerala, will also put forward their views before the Agriculture Minister.
Chouhan has emphasised that the government is committed to framing policies through dialogue and consensus with farmers under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The consultation, scheduled ahead of the upcoming Parliament session, is expected to contribute to the proposed regulatory framework aimed at strengthening seed quality and protecting farmers from fraudulent and poor-quality seeds.
