Farmers suffer losses from use of fake seeds

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 22 DEC: Fake seed and cereal market has been allegedly flourishing in Malda district owing to lack of proper vigilance of the agriculture department.

Hundreds of farmers in Old Malda and Gazole blocks have been duped by local traders after buying fake and poor quality paddy seed from local markets.

Though the traders had claimed that the seeds were certified by the NSC (National Seed Corporation), and showed the stamps on the bags, farmers have suffered huge losses after cultivation of paddy this year.

The farmers have started agitation demanding compensation from the local traders for supplying fake and poor quality seeds to them.

Nearly 80 farmers from Old Malda block had bought paddy seeds (called swarna) six months ago from the shop of a local trader, Mr B Das, located at 8-Mile haat.

The trader had to leave the area when the farmers claimed compensation from him after they found the rate of production was not up to mark.

Mr Das finally confessed that he had bought the seeds from a businessman, Mr A Sarkar, from Gazole town in this district.

When a section of farmers contacted Mr Sarkar to demand compensation he blamed another dealer located at Raiganj in North Dinajpur.

Mr Sarkar reportedly told the farmers: “I bought the seeds from a dealer at Raiganj in North Dinajpur”.

Mr Nirmal Rajbanshi and Mr Mohan Rajbanshi, farmers in Old Malda, alleged that they got only 1.20 quintal swarna paddy per bigha land from the low quality seeds. It usually produces at least 4 quintal paddy per bigha land.

The farmers in Old Malda have united under the umbrella of Paschim Banga Krishak Samiti, backed by the CPI-ML (Liberation) and they will stage an agitation in front of the Agriculture Development Officer (ADO) in Old Malda tomorrow in protest against fake seed selling business.

“The ADO works as inspector of a block to curb the fake selling of seeds, fertilisers and pesticides. But the department does not have such infrastructure to control the menace at every point”, said Mr S Palit, deputy director of agriculture department in Malda.

“Agriculture department will take action if the farmers can lodge a specific complaint including the name of seller, voucher for buying seeds from the sellers and at least empty packet of seeds”, said Mr Palit.

“If any trader is found guilty after inquiry the license for selling seeds will be cancelled”, he added.