Centre Consults Seed and Fertiliser Firms on Easing Rules: Why India Is Rewriting Its Seed and Fertiliser Laws
The Union government is holding talks with seed and fertiliser companies to understand the rules and approvals that slow down their business.
A major focus of the talks is updating the Seeds Act, 1966, a law made almost 60 years ago, so that it fits modern farming technology such as hybrids and new seed varieties.
Industry representatives said that approvals and licences take too long, which delays new products from reaching farmers and the market.
The talks follow the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025, released by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in November 2025. The Bill is meant to replace the Seeds Act, 1966 and the Seeds (Control) Order, 1983.
Fertilisers in India are regulated mainly by the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985, made under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Easing approvals for new fertiliser products is also part of the discussion.
Seeds Act, 1966
The Seeds Act, 1966 is the main central law that controls the quality of seeds sold to farmers in India. It lets the government fix minimum standards for seeds, such as how many of them must sprout (germination) and how pure they must be. It also sets up a system to test and certify seeds, so that a farmer who buys a bag of seed gets what the label promises. The Act is now nearly 60 years old, and the government plans to replace it with a new Seeds Bill.
The government's talks with seed companies are part of the effort to replace the Seeds Act, 1966. Industry complaints about delays in approvals and licences are exactly what the Draft Seeds Bill's Central Accreditation System and registration rules aim to address.
Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985
The Fertiliser Control Order (FCO), 1985 is the main set of rules that controls the quality, sale and distribution of fertilisers in India. Its full name is the Fertiliser (Inorganic, Organic or Mixed) (Control) Order, 1985. It is not a law passed by Parliament. It is an order made by the Central Government under Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. Under the FCO, a fertiliser can be made, imported or sold only if it meets the standards listed in the Order.
Fertiliser companies in the government's consultations have pointed to delays in approvals and licensing. Most of these approvals happen under the FCO, 1985, so easing regulatory hurdles for fertilisers means simplifying how products are added to the FCO and how licences are given.
- Seeds Act, 1966 is being replaced; Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 released in November 2025 with comments invited till 11 December 2025
- Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 penalties: up to ₹2 lakh for minor offences and up to ₹30 lakh for major offences
- Seeds Act Section 19: fine up to ₹500 for a first offence; jail up to 6 months and/or fine up to ₹1,000 for repeat offences
- Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 and Fertiliser Control Order, 1985 are both made under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955
- PPV&FR Act, 2001 protects plant variety and farmers' rights; it does not regulate seed quality
- Urea maximum retail price: ₹242 per 45 kg bag (excluding neem coating charges and taxes)