FARMERS PROTEST AGAINST AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT FOR SUPPLYING SUBSTANDARD SEEDS

FARMERS PROTEST AGAINST AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT FOR SUPPLYING SUBSTANDARD SEEDS

20-DEC-ENG 7

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------Irate farmers staged a protest in front of the Tarari block agriculture office on Friday after wheat seeds received from the agriculture department failed to germinate even ten days after sowing. The farmers alleged that the agency authorized by the agriculture department had supplied substandard seeds, leading to this situation. According to Arun Pratap Singh, a member of ATMA and a leader of Janata Dal (United), he had purchased 120 kilograms of HD 2967 wheat seeds from the Tarari e-Kisan Bhavan and sowed them in his field ten days ago. The seeds should have germinated completely by now, but the seeds he sowed have not germinated at all. Upon having the seeds examined by experienced farmers, it was found that the poor quality of the seeds was the reason for this situation. According to Arun Pratap Singh, in addition to the cost of the seeds, he has incurred thousands of rupees in expenses for sowing and irrigation, resulting in significant losses. The biggest problem is that he will have to sow the wheat again, which will significantly delay his farming schedule. The same problem is faced by farmers in several other villages, including Kisai Deeh, Kharauna, and Sedhan, who also purchased wheat seeds from the agriculture department. Concerned about this problem, the farmers created a commotion at the block agriculture office. The farmers alleged that they had been deliberately cheated, causing them financial, physical, and mental distress. They demanded that the agriculture department compensate them for these losses. They warned that if the department failed to address their concerns, they would be forced to launch an agitation.