NewsStocksCentre to enact strict law against spurious seeds; companies to compensate farmers: ChouhanCentre to enact strict law against spurious seeds; companies to compensate farmers: Chouhan
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the Centre's plan to enact a stringent Seed and Pesticide Law making companies liable for full farmer compensation in crop failure cases due to substandard inputs. The minister released ₹367.00 crore to Maharashtra under RKVY and emphasized modernizing agricultural education with AI and digital farming integration. Additional measures include establishing organic farming certification systems and ensuring transparent subsidy distribution through Direct Benefit Transfer mechanisms.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Union Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that the Centre will soon enact a stringent law to combat the sale of spurious seeds and pesticides, making companies legally liable to compensate farmers for crop failures caused by substandard inputs. The announcement was made during a 'Shetkari Samvad' programme at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra.
Key Provisions of Proposed Seed and Pesticide Law
The upcoming legislation will include comprehensive measures to protect farmers from fraudulent agricultural inputs:
| Provision | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Liability | Full compensation to farmers for crop failure due to substandard inputs |
| Legal Action | Penal and criminal provisions against guilty companies and individuals |
| Enforcement | Stringent measures to curb spurious seed and pesticide sales |
Chouhan emphasized that companies would be held legally accountable for providing substandard agricultural inputs, ensuring farmers receive complete compensation for any resulting crop damage.
Financial Support and Agricultural Development
The minister announced significant financial assistance for Maharashtra's agricultural sector:
| Initiative | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| RKVY 21st Instalment | ₹367.00 crore | Strengthen agriculture sector |
| Flood Relief | ₹862.00 crore | Assistance to affected farmers |
| PM Awas Yojana | 29 lakh houses sanctioned | Replace temporary structures |
The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana funds will help strengthen Maharashtra's agricultural infrastructure and support farmer welfare initiatives.
Agricultural Education and Technology Modernization
Chouhan stressed the urgent need to modernize agricultural education to keep pace with technological advancements. He criticized the practice of teaching outdated curricula and called for immediate updates to educational syllabi. The minister directed the Indian Council of Agricultural Research to make prompt changes rather than waiting a decade for course revisions.
District guardian minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil supported this initiative, emphasizing the need to incorporate artificial intelligence, digital farming, and mechanization into agricultural education to prepare future-ready farmers.
Organic Farming and Market Reforms
The minister announced plans to establish an independent and credible certification system for organic farming. He expressed confidence that certified residue-free produce would fetch nearly double the market price for farmers, providing significant economic benefits.
Chouhan also warned of strict action against those creating artificial shortages and engaging in black-marketing of urea and fertilizers, ensuring fair access to essential agricultural inputs.
Direct Benefit Transfer and Transparency Measures
The government emphasized transparent distribution of benefits through the Direct Benefit Transfer system, which ensures assistance reaches farmers' bank accounts directly, eliminating middlemen. Subsidies for agricultural mechanization and micro-irrigation will be distributed transparently and without delay.
Chouhan directed the Ahilyanagar district administration to ensure accurate crop damage surveys and coordinate with insurance companies to maximize compensation for farmers. The district has achieved second rank in the state under the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme, demonstrating effective implementation of agricultural development programs.
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