Act to curb fake seed menace likely

​Warangal Urban: Telangana state has got huge potential to become a hub for seed production in India and currently seeds from the state were being exported to 50 nations, noted Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari.

He said the seeds produced in fertile lands of Warangal, Karimnagar and Nizamabad districts have demand at national and international level. In view of which, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was aiming to make Telangana a major producer of seeds in the country.

Kadiyam along with Agriculture Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy took part in a zonal seed certification review meeting and workshop in Hanamkonda on Friday. Addressing the gathering, Kadiyam said farmers at Ankapur in Nizamabad have become financially strong by exports seeds.

The Deputy Chief Minister informed that efforts were being made to ensure 24-hour power supply to agriculture needs in the days to come.

For the current Kharif season, seeds and fertilisers were made available in sufficient quantities, Srihari said, warning of serious punishment to those distributing fake seeds in the market.

He asked the farmers to follow the advice of agriculture officials and purchase certified seeds only. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Pocharam Srinivas Reddy noted that state government would bring out a comprehensive act in the ensuing assembly session to curb fake seeds.

The act ensures serious punishment to fake seed distributors under PD Act, besides 100 per cent compensation to affected farmers.

He said 40 officials were appointed to strengthen Telangana State seed and Organic Certification Authority. A new building would be constructed with an expenditure of six crore rupees in Hyderabad for the authority.

On the day, Srinivas Reddy attended Rythu Samagra Survey at Nallabelly of Wardannapet, Station Ghanpur and Pembarthi.

Speaking at Pembarthi, he said seed distribution was being decentralised. Sub-centre by cooperative societies would set up to distribute the seeds.