Tue Jan 20 16:59:13 UTC 2026: ### Headline: All India Kisan Sabha Voices Concerns Over Draft Seeds Bill, Warns of Corporate Monopoly

The Story:

The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has raised serious concerns regarding the draft Seeds Bill in its response to the Union Agriculture Ministry. Published on January 20, 2026, the AIKS argues that the bill undermines the role of public sector research institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and promotes the dominance of private sector agribusinesses in the seed market. The organization has urged the government to reconsider the bill in its current form and to consult with farmers’ organizations, state governments, scientific communities, and relevant NGOs.

The AIKS emphasizes that farmers’ rights to produce, preserve, exchange, and transfer seeds are fundamental and inalienable. The organization also highlights the increasing concentration of power within the commercial seeds market, currently controlled by a few major players such as Bayer (23%), Corteva (19%), Syngenta (10%), and BASF (4%). They argue the legislation should prioritize affordable, quality seeds with price controls, rather than simply focusing on “Ease of Doing Business” for corporations.

Key Points:

  • AIKS criticizes the draft Seeds Bill for favoring private sector control over the seed market.
  • The organization demands protection of farmers’ rights to save, use, exchange, share, or sell seeds.
  • AIKS warns against the increasing market share of major agribusinesses like Bayer, Corteva, Syngenta, and BASF.
  • They advocate for affordable, quality seeds with price controls, rather than prioritizing “Ease of Doing Business.”
  • The AIKS calls for stringent action against companies selling substandard seeds, including license cancellation, blacklisting, hefty fines, and compensation to farmers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The draft Seeds Bill faces significant opposition from farmer organizations concerned about corporate control over agriculture.
  • The debate highlights the tension between promoting agricultural business and protecting the rights and livelihoods of farmers.
  • Seed quality and affordability remain critical issues for Indian agriculture.
  • The AIKS seeks to enforce a strict regulatory environment including financial penalties for seed companies with subpar products.

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