Due to a defective policy, seed supply system in the State has been completely derailed for which farmers are agitating against the Government, alleged BJP Krushak Morcha (BKM) State president Maheswar Sahu here on Saturday.
Sahu said the State Government failed to supply paddy seeds in time as the sowing time has begun in the State from Akshaya Tritiya. What the State has given data of supplying 3,50,000 quintals of paddy seeds to the farmers is completely false and it was implemented in pen and paper only, he added.
This year, the State Government aimed at supplying of 6, 70,000 quintals of paddy seeds to 25 per cent farmers in the State, but they are in confusion about getting adequate seeds in time due to lack of a clear policy on seeds supply, Sahu said.
“It is the right time to supply seeds to the farmers, but it could not be materialised due to State’s negligence and carelessness,” said Sahu, adding, “It may affect the Kharif season.”
Sahu alleged that the Government had directed to the Agro Industries Corporation to supply paddy seeds to the farmers, but the corporation didn’t supply adequate seeds in time which was confirmed after the visit of Director of Agriculture to Sambalpur and Bargarh district.
After knowing the irregularities of seeds supply by the Agro Industries Corporation, the State Government directed the Seeds Corporation to supply paddy seeds. But the corporation has only three lakh quintal stock against the demand 6, 70,000 quintal seeds for the farmers in the State, Sahu said.
BKM State president demanded the State Government to supply seeds without delaying any more. “If the State fails again to supply seeds in time, we will take the issue to the streets,” threatened Sahu.