Farmers back amendments to seed & insecticide Acts

Amid ongoing protests by pesticide, fertiliser and seed traders across the state against two Bills introduced to amend the Seed Act, 1966, and Insecticides Act, 1968, farmers, under the banner of Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU-Charuni), have backed the Bills.

Farmers claimed that these amendments aimed to introduce stringent measures to curb the sale of counterfeit and substandard seeds and insecticides in the state.

They said these Acts would ensure punishment to those involved in selling fake, adulterated or low-quality seeds and insecticides.

The Seeds Act, 1966, regulates the quality of seeds available for sale, while the Insecticides Act, 1968, was enacted to regulate the manufacture, sale and use of insecticides while minimising risks to human health and the environment.

In the recent Budget session, the government passed the Seeds (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Insecticides (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2025. Farmers on Wednesday assembled in Dhand, where BKU-Charuni youth state president Vikram Kasana said the opposition to the amendments to these Acts by traders was unethical and illegal.

The new Bills aimed to curb the menace of counterfeit seeds by introducing stricter penalties, Kasana added.

“The only change these Bills bring is the introduction of stringent punishment against the sale of substandard or fake seeds and pesticides. The rest of the provisions remain unchanged,” he said.

At the meeting, farmers welcomed the Bill, stating that it would help regulate the quality of seeds and pesticides, thereby preventing annual economic loss worth crores that farmers suffered due to the use of poor-quality agricultural inputs.

“Every year, hundreds of complaints are registered regarding inferior seeds and pesticides. However, until now, the law was toothless — culprits would escape with a mere fine of Rs 500 or temporary cancellation of their license for just 15 days,” said Kasana. The new amendment introduced more serious consequences for offenders, something that farmer unions had been demanding for a long time through protests, memorandums, and demonstrations, he added.

Agri expert shows support

Agricultural experts also supported the Bills, demanding that the government implement the amendments strictly.

Dr Virender Lather, former Principal Scientist, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, supported the Bills and claimed that the protest by traders were illegal.

“The strike by traders against the Bills is illegal and immoral. It proves that a large section of these traders regularly indulges in the business of spurious seeds and agricultural chemicals such as fertilisers and pesticides,” said Dr Lather. “If these traders do not indulge in the trading of spurious seeds and agricultural chemicals, then why they are opposing these Bills?”

Haryana Tribune