Context

The Centre now hopes to mandate uniform certification by pushing through a replacement to the Seeds Act, 1966, in the winter session of Parliament

About

• Currently, more than half of all seeds sold in India are not certified by any proper testing agency
• Moreover, due to technology, the very definition of seed has changed. Planting materials such as cuttings, grafting and tissue culture needs to be included under the ambit of law.

Significance

• This could increase overall agricultural productivity by up to 25%
• If a seed fails at the germination, flowering or seed­setting process, the company which sold it could be held liable and compensation could be extracted.