Seed License

The seeds are an important, vital, and indispensable part of agriculture and farmer. Seeds having good quality have a pivotal role to play in increasing the production and productivity of agriculture.

In order to ensure the availability of good quality seeds to the farmers in India, the Government of India has enacted the Seeds Act, 1966, and the Seed Rules, 1968.

Seeds are certified under the Seed (Control) Order, 1983 which was promulgated under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 in order to ensure the production, marketing, and equal distribution of seeds.

According to Section 5 of the Seeds Act, 1966, following three types of seeds are eligible for certification:

• Breeder seed
• Foundation seed
• Certified seed

Any person who wants to carry on the business of selling, exporting, or importing seeds at any place in India shall have to mandatorily apply for the seed license.

Issue of Seed License

• Each state and union territory of India have adopted different procedures to issue the seed license. Hence, every such person desiring to obtain a license for selling, exporting, or importing seeds shall make an application to licensing authority.
• The licensing authority may, after making such inquiry as it thinks fit, grant a license to any person who applies for it.
• Renewal - A holder of the license shall be eligible for renewal upon and applicable being made in the prescribed form.

Refusal to issue seed license

• A seed license shall not be issued to a person-
• Whose earlier license granted is under suspension, during the period of such suspension;
• Whose earlier license granted has been cancelled, within a period of one year from the date of such cancellation.
• Who has been convicted under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 (10 of 1955), or any order issued thereunder within three years preceding the date of application.

 Validity of seed license

• Every seed license, shall, unless previously suspended or cancelled, remain valid for three years from the date of its issue. 

Timeline to get Seed License

Grant of new seed license – 15 working days from the date of complete document submission. (Different in each state and union territory)

Renewal of seed license – 15 working days from the date of complete document submission. (Different in each state and union territory)