Traders warned against selling seeds without valid license
The Seed Inspection Wing of the Department of Seed Certification and Organic Certification, under the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has warned traders against selling seeds without a valid license.
According to a release, the Office of the Deputy Director of Seed Inspection, Erode, has enforcement jurisdiction over the entire Erode District and parts of Tiruppur District. It operates through six seed inspectors stationed in Erode, Gobichettipalayam, Bhavani, Sathyamangalam, Dharapuram, and Kangeyam. The sale of seeds and related activities is regulated by the Seeds Act, 1966; the Seeds Control Order, 1983; the Seeds Rules, 1968; and the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The release emphasised that no individual or entity is permitted to sell seeds without a valid license, and any violation of these laws is subject to prosecution.
The release also stated that there are 73 government seed selling points, 231 quasi-government seed selling points, and 638 private seed sellers in the district, including 88 nurseries that sell vegetable, fruit, and coconut seedlings.
P. Sumathi, Deputy Director of Seed Inspection, Erode, said that over the past four years, the wing has conducted 22,667 inspections at seed selling points and collected 19,188 official seed samples for quality analysis. Of these, 319 seed lots were found to be substandard and did not meet the minimum seed specification standards. Consequently, stop-sale orders were issued for 833 seed lots, totalling 781.81 tonnes of seeds valued at ₹2.96 crore. She further stated that stringent action will be taken against seed sellers who violate the provisions of the Seeds Act and related regulations.
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