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Vegetable cultivation under threat as seeds prices soar
The farmers in the district are very poor and they cannot afford to buy the seeds the commercial crops at such a high price. Therefore, they set their sights on cultivation of vegetables. The farmers of Gudi Hatnur, Indravelli, Adilabad and Nirmal have turned to vegetable cultivation. Farmers of Gudi Hatnur and Indravelli are known for tomato cultivation. The steep hike in the prices of seed is g
Adilabad: Exorbitant prices of branded seeds have become a matter of grave concern for farmers. They have been demanding that the State government supply vegetable seeds of branded companies on subsidy to them. One quintal of chilli seeds was being sold at Rs 30,000, while that of the tomato at Rs 25,000.
The farmers in the district are very poor and they cannot afford to buy the seeds the commercial crops at such a high price. Therefore, they set their sights on cultivation of vegetables. The farmers of Gudi Hatnur, Indravelli, Adilabad and Nirmal have turned to vegetable cultivation. Farmers of Gudi Hatnur and Indravelli are known for tomato cultivation. The steep hike in the prices of seed is giving farmers jitters.
A 10-gram packet of tomato seeds of US 420 hybrid variety is being sold for Rs 325, while that of Satyabhama brand costs Rs 240. Further, Nayanatara brand of 10-gram chilli packet is being sold at Rs 320. The seed companies are collecting Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,800 on one kg of tomato seeds.
A seed merchant of Adilabad Bheemanna told The Hans India on Sunday that prices of seeds per quintal are as follows: Tomato- Rs 25,000, chilli-Rs 30,000, ribbed gourd – Rs 24,000, brinjal and lady finger seeds – Rs 25,000 each.
Meanwhile, the farmers are worrying about the possible increase in input costs with the rise in prices of branded seeds. A farmer, Rajender, expressed concern over the profitability of vegetable cultivation with the heavy rise in branded seed prices.
The farmers put the cost of cultivation of tomato and chilly per acre at Rs 40,000 and Rs 60,000 respectively. They complain that these resemble the cost of cultivation of commercial crops.
Another farmer, Boranna said the traders have been collecting thousands of rupees, selling hybrid tomato seeds. However, tomatoes produced are small in size and lacked properties to withstand pests. As a result, the farmes cultivating tomatoes suffered severe losses last year. Some people have been selling spurious seeds in the name of branded seeds.
The State government, which has been advising students to switch over to dry crops, should supply vegetable crops’ seeds either free of cost or at subsided prices.
Quoting the instances of letting cattle into tomato crops for want of price for tomato in the open market, the farmers have been demanding the government to intervene and reduce the prices of seeds to prevent the suicide of farmers.
With the increase in prices of branded seeds by seed processing units and traders, the government should come to the rescue of the farmers and ensue that vegetable cultivation does not become a burden on them.
By:Thotla Anjaiah
