Farmers asked to buy only quality seeds

Ahead of the rabi season, which commences in September, farmers have been asked to buy only quality seeds to ensure a good crop. Not only farmers, the dealers also also be aware that seeds should be sold only under government licence, Deputy Director of Seed Inspection C. Krishna Kumari said on Wednesday..

Dealers should not sell seeds of sub-standard quality and farmers should verify whether labels affixed to the seed container had serial number, lot number, date of test, date of expiry, physical purity, genetic purity, adaptability of season and also address of producer. Moreover, farmers should refrain from purchasing seeds from unknown sellers.

Dealers should display the daily stock of seeds and their price outside their outlets. Seed Inspectors would conduct checks in seed outlets to ensure that no violation in sale took place.

The Deputy Director said any violation would attract a maximum of seven years of imprisonment under The Seeds (Control) Order, 1983, and other penal provisions of The Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The seed inspectors would also lift samples from dealers to check the quality of germination and genetic purity.

Seeds were being sold through 161 private dealers, 40 government dealers and 80 cooperative societies across Thoothukudi district. In 2015, 23 cases were booked against those who violated the rules related to seed quality and certification, she said.