Rajgarh: Faulty Seeds, Erratic Weather Force Farmers to Re-sow Crops

The kharif season has turned into a nightmare for farmers across Madhya Pradesh, with many facing unprecedented losses due to a combination of spurious seeds and unpredictable weather patterns. As germination failures force costly re-sowing operations, agricultural experts warn that farmers could face "double losses" if weather conditions don't improve.

Seeds of Deception

In Harana village of the Sarangpur region, organic farmer Punamchand invested ₹8,000 in certified soybean seeds for five bighas of his 30-bigha farm. Despite purchasing from a registered seed dealer, the expensive seeds failed to germinate entirely, while seeds from another company planted elsewhere on his farm sprouted successfully.

"I've never used pesticides in my fields, only organic methods," Punamchand told Ground Report.

"When several other farmers in our village faced the same problem with seeds from the same company, we realised something was seriously wrong. Now we're forced to re-sow, doubling our tractor and labour costs."

According to Rajesh Rajput, Senior Agricultural Extension Officer for Sarangpur, the germination failure has affected 25-30 farmers across approximately 750 bighas. While some farmers used their own saved seeds, others purchased from cooperative societies or registered dealers, suggesting the problem extends beyond spurious seeds to include climate-related factors.

Weather Woes Compound Crisis

The seed crisis is compounded by erratic monsoon patterns that have waterlogged fields across the region. In Motipura village, near Rajgarh district headquarters, farmer Baje Singh Banjara has already lost ₹24,000 on his three-bigha plot.

"We sowed soybean as usual, but heavy rains immediately after planting destroyed the crop," Banjara explained.

"Our entire family depends on farming, and we can't afford to leave fields empty land brokers might forge deals on abandoned plots."

His neighbour, Bhim Singh Banjara, managing 25 bighas with five brothers, echoes similar concerns. "We're forced to grow soybeans because wild animals destroy other crops. Soybean is relatively safe after it matures, but this year even our second attempt at sowing isn't showing promising results."

Political Promises, Ground Realities

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Vidisha district in July, where he witnessed firsthand the germination failures affecting nearly 200 farmers. After examining affected fields, Chouhan promised investigations into spurious seed sources and assured compensation for affected farmers.

"Many farmers complained that their soybean seeds didn't germinate. We dug up the fields and found this to be true," Chouhan stated.

"This is fraud against farmers. I will investigate where these fake seeds came from and take action against those responsible."

However, a subsequent report revealed that seeds Chouhan had declared "fake" were actually home-saved seeds from farmer Virendra Raghuvashi's own stock seeds that had failed in Raghuvashi's field but successfully germinated in other farmers' plots, highlighting the complexity of the germination problem.

Expert Analysis: Beyond Seeds

Dr. Lal Singh, an agricultural scientist at Rajgarh Krishi Vigyan Kendra, explains that soybean seeds are particularly delicate and can crack under slight pressure, leading to germination failures. He emphasises that problems arise not only from non-certified sources but also from improper handling and treatment.

"Farmers must conduct seed treatment before sowing to test germination potential and protect crops from diseases," Dr. Singh advises. "Given the risks in the kharif season, farmers should adopt raised bed cultivation methods. This allows excess water to drain through channels while retaining soil moisture during dry spells."

Administrative Gaps

Despite official claims of farmer outreach, ground-level experiences tell a different story. Hemraj, a farmer from Amritpura village, has been cultivating for years but claims he has never seen agricultural department officials venture beyond their offices to provide technical guidance.

"Government seeds are given to traders who sell them at inflated prices to farmers, increasing our losses," Hemraj alleges.

"We need practical guidance to prevent such losses, but officials remain confined to their offices."

Sachin Jain, Deputy Director of Agriculture in Rajgarh, dismisses these allegations, stating that the department regularly conducts camps and workshops to educate farmers, with many benefiting from these initiatives.

Regarding the germination crisis, Jain confirms that investigation teams have been formed to examine seed-related problems across Rajgarh and other blocks.

"If spurious seeds are found responsible, legal action will be taken against concerned dealers. Farmers who exchanged seeds among themselves will receive guidance on proper seed treatment and usage."

The crisis reveals deeper systemic issues in Madhya Pradesh's agricultural sector. Most affected farmers had saved seeds from previous harvests and shared them within their communities, a traditional practice that requires technical knowledge about proper seed selection, storage, and treatment.

While former Chief Minister and current Union Agriculture Minister Chouhan quickly blamed spurious seed companies and announced compensation, critics argue that this response deflects attention from the agricultural department's responsibility to provide adequate farmer education and support.

Uncertain Future

As farmers await promised compensation with no clear timeline, many remain trapped in debt cycles. The double sowing has exhausted their financial resources, and with no guarantee of favourable weather conditions, the threat of complete crop failure looms large.

The crisis points to the importance of comprehensive agricultural support systems that go beyond reactive compensation to include proactive farmer education, quality seed certification, and climate-resilient farming practices. Until these systemic issues are addressed, Madhya Pradesh's farmers will remain vulnerable to the twin challenges of spurious inputs and climate uncertainty.

For now, debt-ridden farmers can only hope that their second attempt at cultivation succeeds and that promised government assistance materialises before the next sowing season arrives.

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