Government Examines Farmers' Feedback on Proposed Seeds Legislation
In response to significant opposition from farmers, particularly in Punjab, regarding the proposed Seeds Bill, the Union government affirmed on Friday that all stakeholder suggestions have been thoroughly reviewed. Union Minister of State for Agriculture, Ramnath Thakur, emphasized that due procedure will be strictly followed before finalizing the legislation.
Extensive Consultations with Diverse Stakeholders
Minister Thakur, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha to Punjab-based member Vikramjit Singh Sahney, detailed that extensive consultations were conducted with farmers' groups, seed experts, industry associations, and state governments, including Punjab. He revealed that over 14,000 suggestions, comments, and observations were received and meticulously examined after the draft Bill was made public as part of the pre-legislative consultation process.
The government is fully aware of the representations and objections raised by farmer organizations and state governments, including Punjab, concerning the draft Seeds Bill and its potential implications for farmers' traditional rights. Minister Thakur assured that these concerns were duly considered during the consultative phase.
Key Provisions and Safeguards in the Draft Bill
The draft Seeds Bill mandates the registration of seed varieties sold in the market to regulate the quality of seeds for sale, import, and export by both public and private entities. It proposes several robust safeguards designed to prevent the exploitation of farmers:
- Explicit protection of farmers' rights to grow, sow, re-sow, save, use, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds of registered varieties.
- Exemption of farmers from penal provisions when seeds produced on their own holdings are sold or exchanged.
- Mandatory onboarding on the Centralised Seed Traceability Portal to enhance transparency, accountability, and protect farmers from spurious or sub-standard seeds.
- Application of nationally prescribed quality standards to all categories of seeds, including labelled seeds.
- Provision for regulation of seed sale prices under emergent situations.
- Rationalized penalties to act as a deterrent against the sale of spurious seeds.
Focus on Seed Sovereignty and Farmer Livelihoods
The draft legislation primarily aims to strengthen seed quality regulation while including specific exemptions for farmers, traditional varieties, and farmers' varieties. The combined effect of statutory protection of farmers' rights, reinforced quality assurance measures, and traceability-based accountability mechanisms is intended to support seed sovereignty, safeguard farmers' livelihoods, and mitigate risks associated with sub-standard seeds.
MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney had raised critical questions regarding the government's awareness of objections from Punjab and farmer groups, the bill's provisions for mandatory seed registration and private sector involvement, consultations with Punjab and stakeholders, and steps taken to address farmers' concerns to ensure protection of seed sovereignty and farm livelihoods. The government's response underscores its commitment to a balanced approach in the legislative process.
