Consumer redressal panel announces compensation for sunflower farmers

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has announced a compensation for six sunflower farmers who had suffered losses due to poor quality of seeds in year 2020.

Rakesh Kumar, and five other farmers from Shahabad had approached the commission with complaint against a Shahabad-based seeds trader and the Telangana-based seed manufacturing firm, and claimed to have suffered heavy losses due to the poor quality of seeds.

As per the order of the commission, it was alleged in the complaints that the complainants had sown sunflower seeds but the crop was totally damaged as the flowering of the crop did not mature and dried before time. On notice, the opposite parties appeared and filed their separate statements raising preliminary objections with regard to maintainability; cause of action; locus standi; jurisdiction and concealment of true and material facts contended inter-alia that the complaint was contested and vehemently denied the allegations of the complaint as made out in the complaint and prayed for dismissal of the complaint.

The commission in its order stated that counsel for the complainant has argued that the crop of the complainant had got totally damaged as the flowering of the crop did not mature and dried before the time. The complainant filed a complaint to Deputy Director Agriculture upon which, the team members inspected the fields. On the other hand, counsel for the dealer argued that the success of crops depends upon the weather condition, suitability and fertility of the area, water and irrigation facility, quality of fertiliser and various other factors. The counsel for the manufacturer argued that the samples of premature crop was not sent to any laboratory for proper analysis of seeds quality.

The order further states that the inspection report was prepared by Agricultural Department Officers. The team members stated that they had minutely inspected the fields of complainant and they found that there was genetic impurity in the seeds of sunflower. As per the opinion of scientist of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, the seeds of sunflower was spurious due to the genetic impurity and spuriousness because of this reason, there was 85% defect in the crop.

The commission has awarded compensation of Rs 6 lakh to the farmers as along with 9% interest from the date of purchase of seeds till its actual realisation. The commission also awarded Rs 50,000 as damages, and the complaint was accepted with costs which is assessed Rs 11,000. The opposite parties were jointly and severally directed to pay all the amount.

The commission has announced compensation to 11 more farmers, for their losses, in two other separate complaints, who had bought sunflower seeds from the same trader and of the same firm.