Latest news with #SeedsAct
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Time of India
Police launch crackdown on spurious seeds trade across Telangana
Hyderabad: Telangana Police has launched a comprehensive campaign against the illegal trade of spurious and substandard seeds across the state. A joint task force, comprising police officials, agriculture department representatives, and seeds corporation personnel, has already been established at the district level to combat this growing menace. The crackdown targets various offenses, including the sale of substandard seeds, expired seeds, unlicensed sales, and the distribution of banned herbicide-tolerant (HT) cotton seeds. Offenders face severe penalties under multiple acts, including the Seeds Act and the Environmental Protection Act, with punishments extending up to seven years imprisonment. In recent operations, authorities in Vikarabad,and in commissionerates of Rachakonda, Warangal, and Ramagundam have seized significant quantities of spurious seeds. The DGP said that the state has adopted a zero-tolerance policy, implementing the Preventive Detention Act against the offenders. He appealed to farmers to purchase seeds only from authorized dealers and report any suspicious activities to local police stations.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- The Hindu
Police crack the whip on sale and distribution of spurious seeds
Telangana Police have launched a state-wide crackdown on sale and distribution of spurious seeds, including the banned herbicide-tolerant cotton varieties, amid concerns over the impact on farmers' livelihoods and crop productivity. According to Director General of Police (DGP) Jitender, a joint task force comprising police personnel, agriculture officials and seed corporation officials has been activated at the district level to identify and prosecute those selling fake, substandard, or expired seeds. The offenders are being booked under multiple laws, including the Seeds Act, Environmental Protection Act and even the BNS Act. Police are also targeting vendors peddling illegal B.G. III (herbicide tolerant) cotton seeds, which are banned under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. 'These sellers are playing with the lives of innocent farmers. When crops fail due to spurious seeds, farmers pay a heavy price,' the officer said, referring to the rise in farmer suicides linked to poor yields. The offences range from selling low-germination seeds to passing off grains as seeds, relabelling expired stock and operating without licences. Some have been caught distributing seeds in torn or unlabelled containers, while others have diverted government-subsidised seeds for private sale. Cases under relevant laws, some carrying prison terms of up to seven years, are being registered. As a deterrent, authorities are seizing assets used in the manufacture and sale of these fake seeds by invoking provisions of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police are also not hesitating to invoke the Preventive Detention Act in severe cases. In recent weeks, raids in Vikarabad, Gadwal, and the commissionerates of Rachakonda, Warangal and Ramagundam, have led to significant seizures of illegal seeds and pesticides. Farmers have been urged to procure seeds only from authorised dealers and report any suspicious activities related to seeds, fertilizers or pesticides, to the nearest police station.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- The Hindu
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.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt sets record foodgrain target of 354 MT on 'good monsoon' forecast
Representative image NEW DELHI: Banking on the forecast of a good monsoon rainfall in most parts of the country this year, govt on Thursday set a target of record foodgrain output of 354 million tonne (MT) for the 2025-26 crop year (July-June), which is nearly 4% higher than the target of 2024-25 and over 6.5% more than the actual production of 2023-24. The foodgrains basket comprises of paddy, wheat, coarse cereals and pulses. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far The target, set after taking inputs from all states, was discussed during a national conference on Kharif campaign where policy makers and farm scientists brainstormed over preparedness and availability of adequate inputs (quality seeds, fertilisers, etc.) ahead of the sowing season. IMD had last month predicted 'above normal' rainfall for most parts of the country, including the 'monsoon core zone', where farmers depend on seasonal rainfall. Good monsoon rains (June-Sept) invariably help farmers in having bumper output. Addressing the conference, agriculture minister Shivraj Chouhan announced a pan-India 15-day campaign (May 29-June 12) to create awareness among 1-1.5 crore farmers, across 700 districts, about climate-resilient seed varieties, availability of fertilisers, monsoon forecast and benefits of govt programmes. "Farm scientists and officials will be among farmers during the campaign. There are 16,000 farm scientists in India and there is a need that farmers and scientists should work together," said Chouhan. He said that the Centre will consider making amendments in the Seeds Act, 1966 to curb sales of spurious seeds, ensure seeds traceability and protect farmers interest. Under pan-India awareness campaign, Centre in association with states will form 2,000 teams comprising farm scientists and progressive farmers.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Govt to launch pan-India farmers awareness campaign from May 29 to boost Kharif output
New Delhi: With ensuing kharif sowing season, Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced a pan-India 15-day campaign starting May 29 to educate and create awareness among 1-1.5 crore farmers about modern technology and new seed varieties . The minister also announced that the Centre will consider making amendments in Seeds Act, 1966 to curb sales of spurious seeds and protect farmers interest. #Operation Sindoor Live Updates| From Sindoor to showdown? Track Indo-Pak conflict as it unfolds India hits Lahore's Air Defence Radars in proportionate response Pakistan tried to hit military targets in these 15 Indian cities, New Delhi thwarts strikes Addressing a National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign here, Chouhan stressed on improving agriculture extension services to boost productivity and production of all major crops. He emphasised on taking the new technologies and research work from labs to farmers' fields within a fixed timeframe. Chouhan said the Centre, together with state governments, will launch a large-scale pan-India awareness campaign from May 29 to communicate directly with farmers and educate them. "Between May 29 and June 12, farm scientists and officials will be among farmers. There is a need that farmers and scientists should work together," the minister said, adding that there are 16,000 farm scientists in the country. Live Events The campaign named 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' is scheduled during the May 29-June 12 period and the target is to reach out to 1-1.5 crore farmers across 700 districts in the country. The Centre in association with states will form 2,000 teams comprising farm scientists, officials and progressive farmers, among others. Each team will have three meetings every day at district level and the aim is to reach out to 10-12 lakh farmers every day. Chouhan said the teams will create awareness about climate-resilient seed varieties, availability of fertilizers, monsoon forecast and benefits of existing government programmes. He urged state agriculture ministers to lead this campaign in their respective states for giving right direction to farmers. Chouhan said he will also write to state chief ministers to make this campaign successful. Talking about the preparedness for Kharif sowing season which starts around June 15, he said the government has adequate stock of seeds and fertilisers to fulfil the demand of these two important farm inputs. The focus will be on providing new seed varieties to farmers on time, the minister told reporters in a press conference. Chouhan highlighted that foodgrain production rose during 2024-25 despite bad weather conditions in some parts of the country. He said the state agriculture ministers suggested that there should be amendments in Seeds Act to ensure supply of quality seeds to farmers by making provisions for strict action against sale of spurious seeds. Chouhan also stressed on seeds traceability. The minister said there is a huge potential for growth in the agriculture sector, which needs to be realised through combined efforts of the Centre and states. He pointed out that crop productivity is less in India than global average and there is a need to enhance yield through adoption of modern technology and best agriculture practices. There is a huge difference in crop yield among states also, he said and added that the first target should be to bridge this gap and then set goals for meeting global benchmarks. He also spoke about protecting soil health and said the soil health cards issued by the government should be used for the right usage of fertilizers. Chouhan highlighted the achievements made in the agriculture sector since 2014. He said the government is focusing on increasing production, reducing input costs and ensuring remunerative prices to farmers through enhanced procurement at minimum support price (MSP).
