TAD NewsDesk, Gujarat: The Gujarat government has received many complaints from farmers regarding adulterated seeds of cabbage which is a great concern as it might cause heavy losses for them. The government has taken action upon it and asked the companies to take responsibility and compensate if the farmers suffers losses.
The issue was raised in Gujarat Assembly, on Thursday, by the Chief Whip of Opposition Congress and an MLA from Khedbrahma constituency of Sabarkantha district, Ashwin Kotwal, as a question of short
notice.
Mr Kotwal put forward the issue that since no progress is seen in the planted crops, will the government take responsibility for the losses.
Agriculture minister R C Faldu gave a detailed reply to the question while adding that primarily it does not seem to be a case of counterfeit or adulterated seeds. The seeds in question are of NS-196 variety of cabbage produced by a private company called Namdhari Seeds Private Limited.
Faldu said that farmers from Gujarat has done plantation in 3937 hectare area in the state and he added
“Of those (3937 hectare), NS-196 variety has been planted by 94 farmers in 105 hectare area.” “At Vadvasa (village of Prantij tehsil of Sabarkantha district), cabbage plantation has been done in 185 hectare area. Out of those (185 hectare area), 33 farmers have done plantation of NS-196 variety of cabbage produced by Namdhari Seeds company in 61.5 hectare area. Out of those 33 farmers, 28 have complained that now they don’t have hope of head formation (ball formation) in the plants.”
But he continued asserting that the state government has asked the company to compensate the farmers if the crop fails. He added,
“The company’s regional manager has given an assurance that if the plants don’t have head formation (ball formation) in 90 days, they are liable to pay compensation to the farmers for their loss.”
Source: The Indian Express
