Published: 3 March 2026ANI / The Tribune / DevDiscourse / Observer VoiceEconomy
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Announces New Seed Act 2026 and Revised Pesticide Act 2026 to Protect Farmers
Around March 1–4, 2026, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced two landmark agricultural reforms in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand — the New Seed Act 2026 and the Revised Pesticide Act 2026 — to be tabled in the Budget Session of Parliament, replacing the outdated Seeds Act 1966.
The New Seed Act 2026 mandates registration for all seed companies, making clear which companies are authorised to operate. Every seed packet will carry a QR code, enabling farmers to trace the complete origin of the seed — from production to dealer to retail sale. This nationwide traceability system addresses the longstanding problem of fake and substandard seeds. Penalties for violations are proposed to be raised sharply from the current ₹500 to up to ₹30 lakh, with criminal punishment for deliberate offences. Importantly, farmers retain the right to save, sow, and exchange seeds with other farmers, preserving traditional agricultural practices.
The Revised Pesticide Act replaces the Insecticides Act 1968 with stronger regulations on quality control and liability. Together, these reforms aim to modernise India's agricultural input regulatory framework, improve transparency, and protect farmers — particularly smallholder and tribal farmers in states like Rajasthan who are most vulnerable to fraudulent inputs.
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Linked questionMedium
On which date did News On AIR report Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Mussoorie announcement on a new Seed Act and a revised Pesticide Act?
Explanation · Correct answer ANews On AIR published the report on March 1, 2026. The report said the Union Government was preparing a new Seed Act and a revised Pesticide Act to strengthen quality control and farmer protection.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key provisions of the New Seed Act 2026 announced by Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan?
The New Seed Act 2026, announced to replace the Seeds Act 1966, mandates QR codes on all seed packets for complete traceability, makes company registration compulsory, and provides penalties up to ₹30 lakh for violations. It explicitly protects farmers' rights to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, and sell farm-saved seeds — a crucial protection for smallholder farmers.
Why was the Seeds Act 1966 replaced and what were its major shortcomings?
The Seeds Act 1966 was over six decades old and could not address modern issues like GM seeds, counterfeit seeds, global seed trade, and digital traceability requirements. It lacked provisions for QR-code based tracking, had weak penalties, and did not adequately protect farmers from substandard or mislabelled seeds supplied by private companies.
What does the Revised Pesticide Act 2026 change compared to the Insecticides Act 1968?
The Revised Pesticide Act 2026 replaces the Insecticides Act 1968 with stronger safety standards, updated chemical registration procedures, and active promotion of biopesticides and integrated pest management. It tightens accountability for pesticide companies and enhances protection for farmers and consumers from hazardous chemical exposure.
What is India's position in global seed production and why is Rajasthan significant in this sector?
India is the world's second largest producer of seeds, with the seed industry valued at over ₹50,000 crore. Rajasthan is a major producer of certified seeds, particularly for mustard, cumin (jeera), and fenugreek (methi) — crops that are central to both the state's agriculture and India's spice export economy.
How do farmers' seed rights under the New Seed Act 2026 relate to RPSC topics on agricultural policy?
The New Seed Act 2026's protection of farmers' seed rights connects to Farmers' Rights under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, and Article 48 of the Constitution (directive on agriculture modernisation). For RPSC, this intersects with topics on agricultural reforms, food security, and the rights of farmers in Rajasthan's predominantly agrarian economy.
