Instead of purchasing quality paddy seed provided by the Government, the poor farmers will prefer using old seed after implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system this year, sources said.
This will be seen more particularly in the rural and poverty-struck areas where the locals have poor bank access or have no bank accounts
The Government has announced the DBT system in paddy seed purchase programme from this year. Under the system, the subsidy amount will directly be deposited to the farmers’ bank accounts.
In this regard, an advertisement has been released and farmers have been asked to open bank accounts. Those who do not open bank accounts will have to purchase seed at double the price, sources said.
Currently, the State Government is providing 50 per cent rebate on sale of certified quality seed, which is being sold at Rs 1,400 per quintal to the farmers. As per the decision, the farmers initially will purchase paddy seed at Rs 2,800 per quintal and later will receive Rs 1,400 in their bank accounts through DBT.
Notably, banks have no branches in as many as 4,452 panchayats out of total 6,238 across the State. While, the State Government is currently providing around six lakh quintal high standard certified paddy seed per annum to the farmers, this constitutes only 30 per cent of the utilised seed. When the DBT system is introduced, the percentage is likely to decline especially in villages. It is not possible on the part of poor farmers to buy certified seed at higher price and open bank accounts at the same time, sources said.
last year, the DBT system, which was implemented in Balianta block as a pilot project, could not be successful. However, the Government is keen to implement the system across the State from this year.
The system could have been successful if it had been implemented in a higher paddy producing district. With the success of the system in that district, the farmers of other districts would have been attracted towards the scheme, the farmers said.
However, the way the authorities have decided to begin the programme across the State, the poor farmers will be deprived of getting the high standard certified paddy seed and the seed exchange rate will be reduced.
Only, the seed selling institutions and banks will be benefited from such programme, stated the farmers.