Maharashtra govt warns companies towards substandard seed provide, worth hike

THE MAHARASHTRA authorities has requested seed firms to not hike costs to produce high quality soybeans and different seeds within the coming khariff season to farmers. The authorities has additionally warned of stern motion if firms offered substandard seeds or hoarded them to boost the demand and costs.
Taking classes from final yr when farmers suffered an enormous setback attributable to pretend seeds, the federal government has initiated a brand new monitoring mechanism to observe the availability and demand chain. It additionally desires to make sure that there’s satisfactory manpower to take swift motion towards firms indulging in malpractices.
Agriculture Minister Dadasaheb Bhuse stated, “The pre-khariff season plan is in place. I have directed the department, district authorities and agriculture centres not to compromise on the quality of seeds. The farmers’ right cannot be negotiated with. Citing higher standards, some companies may try to increase the prices. We will not allow that.”
The bulk of seeds provide is completed via Maharashtra State Seed Corporation Limited (MSSCL), National Seed Corporation and personal firms. Last yr, MSSCL was discovered to be supplying substandard seeds, which landed the state in main embarrassment.
Officially, 50,000 farmers submitted written complaints to the agriculture ministry concerning the pretend seeds and large monetary loss. As the seeds did not germinate, farmers needed to go for second sowing. It incurred further bills in direction of recent seed inventory and fertilisers.
An officer of the agriculture division stated, “Any company, individual or group, found to be selling fake seeds, would be subjected to harsh punishment, including imprisonment and fine.”
The space below cultivation throughout this yr’s khariff season is estimated at 141.94 lakh hectares. The essential crops are soybean, jowar, bajra, cotton, moong, udat, tur and maize. The state requires 16.67 lakh quintal seeds, that are equipped via state-owned Mahabeej, National Seed Corporation and personal firms to farmers.
The space below essential crop soybean cultivation is 42 lakh hectares, which is able to want 31.66 lakh quintal seeds. The state has urged the Centre to supply two lakh metric tonne urea. The authorities may also preserve a 1.5-lakh metric tonne buffer inventory to keep away from any scarcity.