New Seed and Pesticide Laws Close to Completion, Says Union Agriculture Minister
Legislation to combat counterfeit farm inputs with stricter penalties expected in next Parliament session
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- Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that new laws governing seeds and pesticides are near completion and expected in the next Parliament session.
- The legislation aims to check sale of counterfeit and low-quality farm inputs with stricter penalties, as existing penalties are too low and ineffective.
- The government has shifted to region-specific agricultural planning from nationwide consultations, reflecting India's diverse soil and climate conditions.
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New Delhi: Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday said new laws governing seeds and pesticides are close to completion and are expected to be introduced in the next Parliament session. The minister said that the new legislation aims to check the sale of counterfeit and low-quality farm inputs and calls for stricter penalties against offenders.
"If anyone supplies fake or poor-quality seeds or pesticides, stringent action will be taken. The existing penalties are too low and ineffective," he said.
Chouhan said the Centre has requested state governments to work on a roadmap for their states for agriculture, adding that the government has moved away from a single nationwide meeting for rabi and kharif planning to region-specific consultations, reflecting India's diverse soil and climate conditions. He said tailored planning would help create more effective agricultural strategies.
The minister outlined three priorities-food security, higher farm incomes and better nutrition-supported by a six-point strategy focused on increasing output, cutting input costs, ensuring fair pricing, compensating losses and encouraging crop diversification.
Raising concerns over increasing fertiliser use, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, he cautioned against excessive application due to its impact on soil health. He advocated a shift towards natural and organic farming, along with diversification into horticulture and medicinal crops.
He also stressed the need to improve access to quality seeds, noting that several improved varieties have been developed in recent years. Referring to forecasts of below-normal rainfall linked to El Nino conditions, he said planning must account for potential water shortages.
Chouhan urged states to prepare detailed agriculture roadmaps based on local conditions, with support from scientists and the Centre. He highlighted initiatives such as Farmer ID registration to streamline access to services and called for faster enrolment.
On farm credit, he said around 75 million Kisan Credit Cards have been issued so far against an estimated 135 million farmers, and asked states to expand coverage so that more farmers can access affordable loans.
