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New laws on seeds, pesticides nearly finalised, says Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on April 24, 2026 that new seeds and pesticides laws were near finalisation and could be tabled in the next Parliament session. He described a shift to region-specific, five-zone planning and outlined a six-point strategy, while stressing quality seeds, prudent fertiliser use, and steps to widen Farmer ID registration and Kisan Credit Card coverage.
Why It Matters
The statements indicate imminent regulatory changes for farm inputs and seed/pesticide regulation, with a policy shift toward region-wise planning and expanded credit access for farmers.
Timeline
8 Events
Kisan Credit Card coverage and access to credit
April 24, 2026
On institutional credit, he said around 7.5 crore Kisan Credit Cards had been issued against an estimated 13.5 crore farmers, calling for wider coverage to enable more farmers to access low-interest loans.
Farmer ID registration and enrolment
April 24, 2026
Chouhan highlighted the Farmer ID registration to streamline access to services and urged states to speed up enrolment.
El Niño forecast and water shortage planning
April 24, 2026
Referring to forecasts of below-normal rainfall due to El Niño conditions, he said planning must factor in possible water shortages.
Emphasis on quality seeds and improved varieties
April 24, 2026
The minister stressed the importance of quality seeds, noting thousands of improved varieties have been developed in recent years, and called for better availability and utilisation.
Fertiliser use caution; promote organic farming and diversification
April 24, 2026
Chouhan cautioned against indiscriminate use of fertilisers, warning it could adversely affect soil health, and pitched for natural and organic farming practices along with crop diversification into horticulture and medicinal plants.
Six-point strategy and agricultural roadmap
April 24, 2026
He outlined three key priorities—ensuring food security, enhancing farmers’ income and providing nutritious food—and a six-point strategy with measures such as boosting production, reducing input costs, ensuring remunerative prices, compensating crop losses and promoting diversification. He said the conference would work out an agricultural roadmap to be implemented by the states. He also noted that India is the world’s largest rice producer, ahead of China, and a major wheat exporter.
Shift to region-specific consultations; five-zone regional planning
April 24, 2026
Chouhan explained that India has moved away from a single national conference for crop planning to region-specific consultations in view of diverse agro-climatic conditions, dividing the country into five zones for region-wise planning. He noted that this was the second such regional conference.
Centre near finalisation of seeds and pesticides laws
April 24, 2026
During a press conference on the sidelines of a zonal agricultural conference of northern states in Lucknow, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the Centre is close to finalising new laws on seeds and pesticides, with the proposed legislations likely to be tabled in the next session of Parliament. He said the framework aims to ensure quality farm inputs and curb spurious seeds and pesticides that lead to crop losses.