Commission chairman M Kodanda Reddy and members highlighted the recent suffering of tribal farmers in Mulugu district due to substandard maize seeds, in a representation to the Chief Secretary.
Published Apr 05, 2025 | 9:25 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 05, 2025 | 9:25 AM
Seeds. (iStock)
Synopsis: The Telangana State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission has urged the Chief Secretary to amend the Seed and Agricultural Market Acts to prevent the sale of substandard seeds. In a representation on April 14, the commission highlighted recent losses faced by tribal farmers in Mulugu district due to poor maize seeds. It called for legal reforms to address loopholes affecting farmers.
The Telangana State Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission has urged the Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari, to take steps for an amendment to the Seed and Agricultural Market Acts, to prevent the supply of spurious seeds into the market.
In a representation to the chief secretary, commission chairman M Kodanda Reddy, members Bhavanni Reddy, Bhumi Sunil and agriculture scientist Ramanjaneyulu, on Friday, 14 April, recalled how the tribal farmers in Mulugu district had suffered recently on account of substandard maize seeds.
Kodanda Reddy said that tribal farmers had incurred huge losses after cultivating maize in Eturunagaram agency areas.
He said as soon their plight became known, the farmers’ Commission promptly formed a fact-finding committee, which conducted field visits, assessed the damage, and issued necessary directions to the officials concerned. The district administration has already initiated the process of compensating the affected farmers.
In the representation, the commission highlighted that the incident in Mulugu exposed loopholes in the seed and market laws. It pointed out that some amendments made to the agricultural market laws by the previous government after the formation of Telangana have adversely affected farmers. Against this backdrop, the Agriculture Commission made several recommendations regarding amendments to the Telangana Agricultural Market Act and Seed Act, which were submitted to Chief Secretary Shanti Kumari.
Amendment to Section 11A of the Agricultural Market Act:
The previous BRS government modified this section to introduce an “organiser system,” which absolved companies of responsibility in contract farming. The Commission recommended reverting to the 2005 provision introduced by the then Congress government, which held companies accountable.
Lack of stringent provisions in the central Seed Act:
The current central Seed Act lacks strict regulations to take action against companies involved in the production and sale of counterfeit seeds.
Adopt measures similar to Maharashtra:
The Commission recommended amending the Seed Act similar to Maharashtra’s model to enforce strict action against those who sell fake seeds.
Renaming the Agriculture Department:
To better reflect its mission, the Commission suggested renaming the “Department of Agriculture” as the “Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.”
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
