Seed Shortage worries Farmers

Eluru: Farmers have been expressing serious concern over poor supply of paddy seeds in the district.

The issue came to light when a group of farmers stormed the internationally-acclaimed Marteru paddy research centre.

According to agitators, the government supplied seeds to only 300 farmers so far.

Considering the fact that farmers of both Godavari districts made preparations for sowing seeds in about six lakh hectares, the government appeared unprepared to ensure supply to all the farmers.

The government which had been supplying seeds to about 2,000 farmers at this centre every year, failed to meet the demand during this season.

The farmers have been complaining about the paddy seeds distribution.

They suspect that seeds have been diverted to black market as the officials finished the distribution by supplying one and two kg packets of the seeds so far.

The agitators were of the view that there was no information on the availability of seeds at the centre. Moreover, the officials have failed to provide facilities for the farmers who arrived at the centre to get the seed.

A section of farmers were not sure whether to sow the seeds or not for the season.

They also thought of declaring a crop holiday as water was also not available to irrigate fields.

However, when they changed their mind to sow seeds they had to face shortage of seeds.