Telangana Government Moves to Protect Seed Farmers and Introduce State-Level Seed Act

HYDERABAD — The Telangana government has announced strict measures to protect the interests of seed-producing farmers, including plans to introduce a comprehensive state-level Seed Act and crack down on the sale of spurious seeds.

State Agriculture Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao directed officials to take necessary steps to ensure transparency in contracts between seed-producing farmers and seed companies. Emphasizing the need to eliminate intermediaries, the Minister stated that seed farmers must receive fair prices and adequate insurance coverage for their produce.

To strengthen regulation and oversight, the Minister instructed officials to bring all seed-producing areas under the crop booking and seed traceability system. Additionally, authorities have been tasked with promoting seed banks and preserving traditional seed varieties across the state.

Addressing the delay by the central government in introducing a national Seed Act, the Minister asserted that the state government will proceed with its own comprehensive legislation. He emphasized that the implementation of the state Seed Act must be expedited to ensure that farmers reap the benefits by the upcoming crop season.

The state government has also reiterated its stance on taking serious legal action against individuals and entities involved in distributing spurious seeds, aiming to safeguard the agricultural sector and ensure legal protection for local producers.

"Regulatory clarity and contract transparency are critical for the sustainability of any supply chain, particularly in agriculture where producers face high vulnerability. The Telangana government's move to introduce a state-level Seed Act, eliminate middlemen, and enforce traceability systems will help build trust between farmers and seed companies. For agribusinesses operating in the region, adapting to these standardized contracts and traceability norms will be essential for long-term compliance and risk management." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes