Lok Sabha Question No. 2705 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Impact of Substandard Seeds, Fertilizers and Pesticides
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Hanuman Beniwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2705

TO BE ANSWERED ON 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## IMPACT OF SUBSTANDARD SEEDS, FERTILIZERS AND PESTICIDES

2705.  SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted a scientific study through the Indian Council of Agricultural  Research  or  any  other  organization  to  determine  the  negative  impact  of counterfeit and substandard seeds, fertilizers and pesticides on agricultural production sold in Rajasthan and other states;
- (b) if so, the details of the findings of such scientific studies conducted during the last three years;
- (c) whether  any  action  is  being  taken  by  the  Government  against  companies  or organizations producing counterfeit and substandard fertilizers and seeds;
- (d) if  so, the details of actions taken against such sellers by the Government during the last three years, year-wise; and
- (e) the details of concrete action plan of the Government to provide quality seeds to the farmers on their demand?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण राज्य मंत्री (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY)

(a) & (b): As such, ICAR has not done any scientific study to determine the negative impact of counterfeit and substandard seeds, fertilizers and pesticides on agricultural production sold in Rajasthan and other states.

However, the Government has introduced the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) portal as a digital platform to trace the end-to-end traceability of seeds from  production  and  certification  to  distribution  by  automating  processes  such  as  seed production tracking, licensing, inventory management, quality assurance, and seed certification.

(c) & (d): The Government mainly through State Government takes strict action against companies  producing  counterfeit  or  substandard  seeds,  fertilizers,  and  pesticides  under various laws such as the Seeds Act, Fertilizer Control Order, and Insecticides Act. Quality Control Inspectors collect samples, test them, and if found spurious, they can seize stocks, issue  stop-sale  orders,  cancel  licences,  and  file  court  cases.  Farmers  can  also  lodge complaints in cases of crop failure due to fake inputs. The Government of India frequently issues advisories to all States and UTs to ensure strict implementation of existing laws and to strengthen surveillance at manufacturing units, storage sites, and retail outlets to curb the sale of counterfeit seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Over the past four years, a total of 8,09,033 seed samples were collected, of which 3,33,532 were identified as substandard. During this period, 15,661 warnings were issued, 17,551 stop-sale orders were enforced, and 286 cases resulted in forfeiture.

Under  section  21  of  the  Insecticide  Act,  1968,  12316  officers  of  various  State Governments and 195 Officers of Central Government are notified as Insecticide Inspectors that have been vested with powers to search premises, seize documents, stop distribution or  sale  of  counterfeit  insecticides.  These  inspectors  across  the  nation  regularly  conduct inspections of the manufacturing firms and dealers/retailers in the area of their jurisdiction to check the sale of any misbranded/counterfeit/ banned pesticides.

In last 3 years (2022-23 to 2024-25), total 242095 samples have been analyzed, 6540 samples  (2.70%)  were  found  misbranded  and  1937  prosecutions  have  been  launched against the firms who were found involved in the manufacture, sale and illegal import of substandard/low quality pesticides and in 247 cases the accused have been convicted by the Hon'ble Court.

(e): To check sale of poor quality seed, the Govt. enforces strict regulations under the Seeds Act and related orders. The Seed Inspectors regularly draw and test samples, and tak e punitive action against substandard or expired seeds. To strengthen quality assurance, the Government has established 178 seed testing laboratories and 25 State Seed Certification Agencies. Also, the SATHI (Seed Traceability, Authentication and Holistic Inventory) portal, a digital platform, is also helping to improve the quality and transparency of the seed supply chain.

Government  of  lndia  also  provides  the  financial  assistance  to  the  States/UTs  and implementing agencies for Strengthening of Quality Control Arrangement viz. for setting up of new testing laboratory, upgrading existing testing laboratory, Seed Health laboratory, DNA Finger Printing laboratory etc. under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM).

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