Farmers approach DC on seed pricing

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 20

An organisation related to potato growers today approached the Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, complaining that private seeds retailers increase the prices of seeds of sunflower, muskmelon and maize every year.

Members of the organisation sought the quick intervention of the district administration in the matter to solve the issue amicably, as this was the time when the farmers bought these seeds.

In a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Pritpal Singh Dhillon of the organisation said that the seed supplier retailers had formed a cartel to create false shortage of seeds in the market, forcing farmers to buy seeds at higher rates.

He said this year, the seeds of maize and sunflowers were being sold at 40 per cent higher price. These retailers were not providing the buyers any receipt or invoice for the purchase. In such conditions, the farmers could not even claim compensation in case of loss due to germination or virus-related problems.

Dhillon said they had made numerous representations on the issue to the Deputy Commissioner since 2014, yet no action had been taken in this regard so far.