Field Samples of Seeds, Fertilisers and Pesticides to Move via Indian Postal Services
09 February 2026, New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Posts to establish a standardized, faceless and fully traceable system for the movement of samples of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides across the country.
Signed on January 7, 2026, the MoU operationalises a logistics and digital framework aimed at strengthening quality control and enforcement against sub-standard, spurious and fake agri-inputs. Under the new mechanism, samples collected from the field will be transported securely and in a time-bound manner to designated laboratories, with end-to-end digital tracking to ensure transparency and prevent tampering.
The initiative introduces complete digitisation of the agri-input quality control chain. This includes fixation of quality control targets at the state level, systematic collection and dispatch of samples, laboratory testing, generation of test reports, and initiation of prosecution wherever violations are detected. Any legal action will be undertaken as per the respective laws governing seeds, fertilisers and pesticides.
By leveraging the nationwide logistics network of the postal department, the system aims to improve accountability and efficiency in enforcement while closing gaps that allow fake or sub-standard inputs to reach farmers. The government expects the reform to enhance farmer confidence, safeguard crop productivity and ensure timely availability of quality agri-inputs across regions.
The development was informed by Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Ramnath Thakur in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.
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