Maharashtra Moves to Enact Separate Seed Law Empowering Farmers’ Rights

The Maharashtra government will introduce a separate Seed Act aimed at strengthening farmers’ rights over seeds, improving quality control, and building a fully traceable and accountable seed distribution system, Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said on Tuesday.

The proposed law will grant farmers legal rights to store, use, exchange and sell crop seeds without branded names , while ensuring protection through quality standards and immediate compensation for crop losses caused by defective seeds . The move comes as part of amendments to the Seeds Act, 1966 , following commitments made during the 2025 monsoon session of the state legislature.

A key addition highlighted in updated reports is the expansion of a centralised seed traceability and authentication system , built around QR-coded seed packets and end-to-end digital tracking of seeds from production to sale. The system is designed to curb spurious seeds and improve transparency across the supply chain.

The government has also achieved 100 per cent registration of seed-producing entities on the Saathi Portal , which will act as the backbone for regulation. From the Kharif 2026 season , all seed production, processing, distribution, and sales will be mandatorily routed through the portal to ensure full digital traceability and compliance.

Officials have been directed to set up district-level seed grievance redressal centres to ensure faster resolution of farmer complaints. The law will also make registration mandatory for seed producers, processors, distributors, sellers, and nurseries, which will be required to maintain detailed records of plant and seed origin.

Another key feature includes strict seed health standards , regulating contamination levels such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, along with stronger accountability for seed companies. The role of Mahabeej will also be strengthened under the new framework.

Additionally, agricultural university research outputs will be formally integrated into the regulatory system to improve seed quality and innovation.

However, the move has also triggered resistance from sections of the seed distribution network. Reports indicate that some agri-service centre operators have expressed concerns over mandatory digital compliance and the compulsory use of the Saathi portal, with protests and disruptions reported in parts of Maharashtra.