Draft Seeds Bill 2019

Why in news?

The government has invited public feedback on the recently released draft Seeds Bill 2019.

What are the key provisions?

The draft Seeds Bill aims to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and regulate the quality of seeds sold.
All varieties of seeds for sale have to be registered.
The seeds are required to meet certain prescribed minimum standards.
Transgenic varieties of seeds can be registered only after the applicant has obtained clearance under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
In addition, the label of a seed container has to indicate specified information.
The Bill exempts farmers from the requirement of compulsory registration.
Farmers are allowed to sow, exchange or sell their farm seeds and planting material.
They do not have to conform to the prescribed minimum limits of germination, physical purity and genetic purity (as required by registered seeds).
However, farmers cannot sell any seed under a brand name.

What is the key shortfall?

The Bill contains provisions for the Centre and states to introduce capping of prices.
It seems that the government is willfully ignoring the lessons of the recent Shetkari Sanghatana (SS) ‘civil disobedience’ protest.
In consequence of this, Monsanto withdrew one of its most advanced GM offerings from approval.
As the Shetkari Sanghatana protest shows, the fact is that the farmers are aware of the benefits of GM technology.
They are even willing to pay a premium as long as the GM seeds deliver the promised increase in yields, which translates into profits.
Moreover, companies such as Monsanto invest heavily in R&D to develop products.
These not only drive up farm profits but also are fast emerging as a key need as climate change effects threaten agriculture.
So, any move to discourage seed-tech will be anti-farmer.
Disincentivising seed-tech companies will have the same effect that the price-caps in pharma and medical devices have had.
In these sectors, companies have just kept their latest offerings out of the market.
In many ways, losing access to advanced GM tech could seriously undermine Indian agriculture.

Source: Financial Express, Business Line