Chilli farmers cheated with fake seeds

Khammam: Chilli farmers of Konijerla, Bonakal and Thallada mandals, who felt cheated because of purchasing ‘fake’ seeds, raising the crop in 500 acres have claimed that they suffered a loss of over Rs 60,000 per acre, after the desired yield did not materialise even after 45 days. They plucked out the crop after their hopes were dashed. The farmers launched district-wide agitation on Monday and Tuesday demanding steps against those companies, which supplied seeds to them.

Chilli ryots had taken up cultivation in 30,000 hectares during this kharif season, more with the hope of securing the last year’s rate of Rs 13,000 a quintal, after purchasing the seed from shops in Khammam, Kothagudem, Wyra, Yellandu and Palvancha towns. Some had believed the words of the companies’ representatives on the new seeds, who visited several villages, while some had secured ‘Mirapa Naru’ from nurseries.

The farmers realised that they have been cheated after the crop failed to grow to the desired level even after 45 days. In frustration, they have plucked out the seedlings, after having spent over Rs 60,000 per acre for raising the crop.

Farmers of Rayannapeta, Chirunomula, Laksmhipuram, Choppakatlapalem, Motamarru, Thutikuntla villages of Bonakal mandal had taken up CS 333 Mirchi variety in 170 acres. When the crop was hit by virus, they initially assumed faulty land as the cause. But since this variety was only getting affected, they realised that the cause to be ‘fake’ seeds.

Similar was the fate of ryots in Narayanpur in Thallada mandal, who purchased Greenvera Company seeds and raised the crop in 150 acres. So was the case of 100 farmers of Singarayapalem, Teegalabanjara, Gundrathimadugu villages of Konijerla mandal, who purchased seeds from a dealer in Wyra.

Believing the assurances of company representatives that the yield would be 50 quintals per acre and if not they would take the responsibility, the farmers raised the crop in about 200 acres. But the plants got virus during harvesting stage. With 80 per cent seedlings not growing to the desired level the farmers were forced to pluck out them in about 100 acres.

People’s organisations demanded that the government should support the farmers and extend financial relief to them.Similar incident took place in 2015, where hundreds of chilli farmers were doomed.The Agriculture department staff is unable to check the activities of the agents of seed companies of other districts in villages, who convince that their seeds were of good quality. These agents disappear once the seeds were sold.

Farmers Somayya, Mallanna, Yesobu and Komarayya told The Hans India that the administration should pay compensation for the crop loss and take action against the agents, dealers and nurseries and their companies. The distressed farmers organised agitations that paralysed traffic at some places in Khammam. Tension prevailed after the agitating farmers attacked some seed shops at Gandhi Chowk.

CPM, CPI (New Democracy) and BJP leaders, who backed the ryots, showed the damaged seedlings to the Collector and the JD of Agriculture. They claimed that there was crop loss in 5,000 hectares following the sale of fake seeds.

Responding to the farmers’ plight, Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao directed the officials to register criminal cases against the shop owners and agencies, who had sold seeds to farmers, after identifying them. Rao also asked them to take steps for paying compensation to the affected ryots, Telugu Desam MLA Sandra Venkataveerayya told The Hans India.

Following the Minister’s orders, Agriculture department staff and the police registered cases against the seed companies and dealers. Police officials, like Khammam DSP Suresh Kumar, announced that some dealers have been arrested and investigation against them is on.