Long queues of farmers for paddy seeds in Haryana, allegations of black marketing

Haryana farmers are facing problems with the availability of high-yielding variety paddy seeds. Seeds of hybrid paddy varieties 'Sava 7501' and 'Sava 7301' are in short supply, and farmers are complaining about black market sales of these seeds at prices higher than the MRP fixed by the seed producer company. After harvesting wheat, farmers are busy preparing for sowing paddy nurseries. However, obtaining paddy seeds is proving to be a challenge; farmers either have to endure long queues in the scorching heat or pay significantly inflated prices.

Ashok Danoda, a farmer from Haryana's Kaithal district, told to Rural Voice that the 7501 variety of paddy seed, for which long queues are forming, belongs to a private company. Farmers got good yield from this variety last year, whidh was about 10 tonnes per hectare, significantly higher than other popular varieties. Consequently, more farmers are eager to purchase the seed of this variety, leading to long queues at seed dealers outelts. Allegations arfe being made that a bag of three kilograms of seeds, priced at Rs 1715, is being sold in the black market for up to Rs 3,500. 

A senior scientist at ICAR told Rural Voice that Pusa-44 variety of paddy has also a yield potential of about 10 tonnes per hectare. However, Pusa-44 has been banned due to its long maturing period and high water consumption. Pusa-44 had become the most cultivated paddy variety in Punjab. According to the ICAR scientist, the prices of seeds for different paddy varieties ranges from Rs 250 to Rs 350 per kg.  Furthermore, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (Pusa) sells Basmati paddy seed at justg Rs 100 per kg, while the 7501 variety is being sold at Rs 572 per kg. 

The ban on Pusa-44 has increased the demand for 7501 variety seeds, as other paddy varieties typically yield seven to seven and a half tonnes per hactare. Consequently, there is a heightened demand for 7501 variety seeds, exceeding the supply available with dealers. Farmer leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni expressed concerns that farmers are distressed about the scarcity of paddy seeds and are compelled to purchase them at exorbitant prices, yet the government remains inactive.

INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala, after receiving information about black marketing of paddy seeds in Kaithal, reached among the farmers and talked to the officials regarding the problem. He said that the farmers of the state have come to know who is well-wisher of the farmers and whose guarantee is valid.

The shortage of this variety of paddy seeds is most severe in Kurukshetra, Kaithal, and Yamunanagar districts. Farmers are able ot get only one bag of three kilograms of seeds upon presenting their Aadhaar card, which is insufficient for even one acre of seedlings. As a result, farmers are forced to endure long queues under the scorching sun repeatedly. Despite efforts by the Agriculture Department to curb black market sales by authorizing specific sellers, reports indicate that seeds are still being sold at inflated prices.

Congress General Secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala has accused the BJP government of depriving farmers of paddy seeds. Despite enduring hours of waiting in the scorching heat, farmers, women, and youth are unable to obtain paddy seeds. Farmers in Kaithal district have been grappling with this issue for the past ten days without government intervention.

The situation has escalated to the extent that crowds of farmers gather at seed shops from early morning. Police personnel have been deployed to manage the situation, along with officers from the Agriculture Department. However, since the seeds are from a private company, Agriculture Department officials are limited in their capacity to address the issue. Seed sellers claim that demand exceeds supply, but questions arise as to why the government cannot ensure easier access to these seeds. This issue highlights concerns about seed monopolies and farmers' rights.

Danoda notes that this crisis has increased the likelihood of spurious seeds flooding the market. Additionally, the growing control of private companies over seeds could pose significant challenges for farmers in the future. Nevertheless, state agriculture department officials are urging farmers to consider alternative varieties instead of solely focusing on one variety.