Lok Sabha Question No. 649 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-03
Subject: Availability of Seeds and Fertilizers
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Smt. Malvika Devi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA

## Unstarred Question No. 649

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3 RD  FEBRUARY, 2026

## AVAILABILITY OF SEEDS AND FERTILIZERS

## 649. SMT. MALVIKA DEVI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  steps  being  taken  to  ensure  that  seeds  and  Fertilizers  are  provided  to farmers  at  the  right  prices  and  at  the  right  time  and  the  manner  in  which  the  sale  of spurious seeds during Kharif and Rabi seasons is controlled;

(b) the manner in which the Ministry is ensuring that the farmers are receiving bio fertilizers and  how  is  the  ministry  promoting  and  encouraging  use  of  bio-fertilizers  among  small farmers in aspirational districts; and

(c) the steps taken by the Ministry for encouraging farmers to grow Indigenous traditional rare variety of crops?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): The  Department  of  Agriculture  and  Farmers  Welfare  (DA&FW)  ensures  timely availability  of  quality  seeds  and  fertilizers  by  periodically  assessing  requirement  and availability  with  States/UTs  and  concerned  agencies  through  Zonal  Conferences  for Agricultural Inputs organized prior to each Kharif and Rabi season.

To make seeds available  at  affordable  prices, financial  assistance  is  provided  for seed-related  activities  including  distribution  of  quality  seeds,  creation  of  National  Seed Reserve,  strengthening  seed  infrastructure,  farmer  trainings,  demonstrations  and  free distribution of minikits of new High Yielding Varieties (HYVs) of pulses and Nutri-cereals under schemes such as National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), National Mission  on  Edible  Oils-Oilseeds  and  Rashtriya  Krishi  Vikas  Yojana  (RKVY).  These interventions enhance productivity and help reduce cost of cultivation. Production of seed in  public  sector  is  also  encouraged  to  ensure  availability  of  quality  seeds  at  affordable prices to farmers.

Further,  to  ensure  fair  pricing  of  Bt.  cotton  hybrid  seeds,  the  Government  has notified  the  Cotton  Seeds  Price  (Control)  Order,  2015  under  the  Essential  Commodities Act, 1955, under which maximum sale prices of Bt. cotton seeds are fixed every year.

Fertilizer requirement is assessed based on gross cropped area, irrigated area, past consumption pattern and soil fertility status and is intimated to the Department of Fertilizers to ensure seamless availability before each cropping season. The Government notifies the price of urea to ensure its availability at affordable rates.

Under  the  Direct  Benefit  Transfer  (DBT)  in  Fertilizers  system,  100%  subsidy  on fertilizers  is  released  to  companies  based  on  actual  sales  to  farmers  through  Aadhaarauthenticated  Point  of  Sale  (PoS)  devices  at  retail  outlets,  ensuring  targeted  subsidy delivery and no-denial supply of fertilizers at subsidized prices.

To regulate seed quality and curb the sale of spurious seeds, the Seeds Act, 1966, Seeds  Rules,  1968  and  Seeds  (Control)  Order,  1983  empower  State  Governments  to appoint Seed Inspectors to inspect seed outlets, draw samples and take enforcement action including  cancellation  of  licences,  seizure  of  stocks,  stop-sale  orders  and  prosecution against violators.

In  addition,  the  SATHI  (Seed  Authentication,  Traceability  and  Holistic  Inventory) portal has been launched to enable end-to-end digital traceability of seeds across the supply chain,  enhancing  transparency  and helping prevent the circulation of spurious  and substandard seeds during Kharif and Rabi seasons.

(b): The Government of India has notified Organic Fertilizers, Bio-Fertilizers, De-oiled cake, Organic Carbon Enhancer and Nano Fertilizers under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 to ensure regulated supply and quality of such Fertilizers.

Organic  and  bio-Fertilizer  use  is  promoted  through  Paramparagat Krishi  Vikas  Yojana (PKVY)  and Mission Organic Value Chain Development  for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), which support farmers from production to certification and marketing. These schemes adopt a cluster-based  approach  with  preference  to  small  and  marginal farmers, including  those  in  aspirational  districts,  to  develop  sustainable  organic  value  chains  and improve farmers' incomes. Implementation is carried out through State/UT Governments.

(c): Under  the  National  Food  Security  and  Nutrition  Mission  (NFSNM),  assistance  is provided to boost seed production of traditional varieties through:

-  Distribution of seeds at 50% cost
-  Seed production incentives  of ₹1000  per quintal  for cereals  and  millets and  ₹2000 per quintal for pulses and oilseeds
-  Capacity building programmes
-  One-time assistance of ₹50 lakh for establishment of community seed banks

Further, under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001, farmers are encouraged to conserve and cultivate indigenous traditional varieties by:

-  Registration of farmers' varieties with intellectual property protection (5241 varieties registered so far)
-  Recognition  through  Plant  Genome  Saviour  Community  Awards,  Farmer  Rewards and  Farmer  Recognitions  (45  community  awards,  69  rewards  and  88  recognitions conferred)

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