Farmers yet to get seed for rabi crops in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: The farmers are unable to get enough seed and manure for cultivation of crops during the rabi season. Maize, groundnut, millet, green gram, black gram and sunflower crops are being cultivated in rabi season in more than 3.65 lakh hectares across the district.

Officials of irrigation and agriculture departments are motivating farmers towards cultivation of the above varieties of irrigated dry (ID) crops to save water in the wake of dry spell. During rabi season, 1,080 quintals of green gram, 1,100 quintals of black gram, 5,700 quintals of maize, 4,200 quintals of ground nut seed is required for the district.

Out of the total required seed, less than half quantity of seed is available in the district. Subsidy amount also fixed for green gram as Rs 46 a Kg seed. On black gram seed, the subsidy amount is Rs 25 a Kg. On maize seed, Rs 100 a Kg, on ground nut seed subsidy is Rs 28 a Kg is fixed.

By cashing the scarcity situation, traders are exploiting farmers by fixing high price for seed. Due to negligence of officials, farmers are losing government provided subsidy amount and paying more to private traders to procure seed to sow it in favourable climatic conditions.

Supply of seed to farmers was delayed, admitted joint director for agriculture B Ganga Veera Prasad. Samples of seed must be collected and tested before its supply to farmers due to this reason we are unable to provide seed to farmers this year and will restore supply within a week, the JD added.