SEEDS ACT AND ALLIED REGULATIONS

NEWS: Recently, the Government has informed about measures to regulate seed quality and prevent spurious seeds.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• To regulate seed quality and curb the sale of spurious seeds, the Seeds Act, 1966, the Seed Rules, 1968 and Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 empower State Governments to appoint Seed Inspectors to inspect seed outlets, draw samples and take enforcement action
• Launched Seed Authentication, Traceability & Holistic Inventory (SATHI) portal to enable end-to-end digital traceability of seeds across the supply chain, enhancing transparency
• Farmers have right to save, use, sow, re-sow, exchange, share or sell their own farm saved seeds.
• Up to Rs. 15 Lakh for conservation of traditional varieties from the National Gene Fund.
• The financial assistance is provided to Indian Council of Agricultural Research Institutes(ICAR), State Agriculture Universities(SAUs) and public sectors
• Any person, seed companies and firms to operate seed business, has to obtain Seed dealer license under the clause 3 of the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 from the concerned State Government

SIGNIFICANCE

• Strengthens enforcement against fake seeds.
• Ensures traceability and transparency in the seed supply chain.
• Protects farmers’ and traditional seed varieties.
• Promotes availability of quality seeds at affordable prices.