india is the focus of an ongoing attack by monsanto and its like intending to install on the indian farmers the same monopoly we've got here. it is ongoing and the farmers there have a bit more clout than here; 

 

In India, the central government plans to replace the Seeds Act of 1966 with the Seeds Act 2025, a comprehensive reform that it says will modernise India’s seed regulation system. The stated aims of the proposed new law are to ensure the availability of high-quality seeds, improve transparency and address farmers’ concerns over spurious and sub-standard seeds amid advances in technology and biotechnology.

A structured regulatory framework led by a Central Seed Committee is proposed, supported by state committees. The committee will set national standards for germination, genetic purity and seed health while maintaining a National Register of Seed Varieties. Only registered varieties, except exempted ones, can be sold commercially to ensure quality control and traceability.

While tightening rules for commercial players, the government argues farmers’ traditional rights will be protected. Farmers may save, use, exchange, share or sell seeds of registered varieties, provided they are not sold under a brand name. They are also exempt from penalties for selling seeds produced on their own land.

A three-tier penalty system is to be introduced: minor procedural lapses may attract warnings or fines up to ₹50,000; sale of sub-standard or misbranded seeds can lead to fines of ₹1–2 lakh; and major violations, such as selling spurious seeds or operating without registration, may result in fines of ₹10–30 lakh, cancellation of registration and up to three years’ imprisonment for repeat offenders.

In response, on 11 February 2026, Samyukt Kisan Morcha-SKM issued a press release for the attention of Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare. The SKM is a coalition of Indian farmers’ unions that acts as an umbrella body representing various farmer organisations across several states and was the principal coordinating body during the 2020–2021 farmers’ protests..............more.........