The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025, is poised to redefine the control of seeds in India, a critical resource for millions of farmers. While the government touts the bill as a measure to enhance seed quality and curb counterfeit products, the implications for community seed banks and local agricultural practices are alarming. The new regulations could force these grassroots networks to comply with stringent requirements that are more suited for large corporations than for small-scale farmers and cooperatives.
At the heart of the bill is a push for digital traceability and QR-code monitoring, which, while innovative, could impose heavy compliance burdens on community-led initiatives. These groups, often operating with limited resources, may find it increasingly difficult to navigate the regulatory landscape, leading to a gradual erosion of their autonomy and the rich biodiversity they help preserve. The bill's provisions also centralize authority within the Union government, undermining the localized knowledge that is essential for effective agricultural practices in diverse Indian climates.
Moreover, the bill raises significant concerns about seed sovereignty. By allowing recognition of seed evaluation data from outside India, it risks prioritizing foreign-tested varieties that may not be suitable for local conditions. This could lead to a reliance on corporate seeds, which often lack the resilience of traditional varieties cultivated by local farmers. The danger is not just theoretical; history has shown that concentrated seed control can lead to food insecurity, as seen in other countries where biodiversity has been sacrificed for uniformity.
