Gadwal: In what is expected to be a major show of strength by the farming community, hundreds of seed cotton farmers from across the district are set to march into Gadwal on May 31 to protest the exploitation and fraudulent practices of seed companies and their organizers.

The protest is being organized under the banner of the Nadigadda Rights Struggle Committee, a grassroots movement that has been actively fighting for the rights of seed cotton farmers. Speaking at a press conference held at the committee’s office in Dharur mandal, Mandal President Nettempadu Govind made a clarion call to all farmers in the district to rise in unity and demand justice.

“Every day, seed companies and their organizers are coming up with new tricks to cheat farmers. From manipulating packet prices to falsely declaring quality seeds as failed, they are pushing our farmers into a cycle of debt and despair,” Govind said, voicing the growing anger among the rural community.

He alleged that companies are deliberately avoiding the mandatory increase in seed packet rates while simultaneously rejecting good quality seeds under the pretext of failure in sample testing. This manipulation, Govind said, is costing farmers not just financially, but emotionally and socially, as many fall into the trap of loans and crop failures due to poor quality seeds.

In response to these grave injustices, the committee will submit a detailed report to the District Collector on May 31, outlining the systemic exploitation of seed cotton farmers. The report will also contain specific cases of fraud, pricing irregularities, and failed compensation mechanisms.

Govind made it clear that the struggle would continue until accountability is enforced.

“This is not a protest—it’s a battle for survival. If we don’t raise our voices now, there will be no future for seed cotton farmers in this district,” he warned.

The press conference was attended by key leaders of the movement, including District Leaders Jammanna, Vice Presidents Adavi Anjaneyulu and Maldakal Anjaneyulu, Mandal Secretary Ramu, and senior members like Veeresh and Govindu, who all pledged to mobilize farmers from every village in the region for the May 31 protest.

Key Issues Being Raised by the Farmers:

Unjust Seed Pricing: Seed companies are failing to revise and increase packet prices as required, leading to losses for farmers.

Fake Test Results: High-quality seeds are falsely being marked as "failed" to avoid providing replacements or refunds.

Organized Cheating: Coordinated efforts by companies and their local organizers are deliberately pushing farmers into debt.

Demand for Accountability: Farmers are calling on the district administration to take immediate action and protect their rights.

The upcoming rally is being seen as a decisive moment in the seed cotton farmers’ struggle for justice. With the support of rural leadership and farmer collectives, the protest aims to put intense pressure on the administration to intervene, regulate seed companies, and ensure a fair agricultural ecosystem in the region.

As the countdown to May 31 begins, all eyes are now on Gadwal, where farmers will unite not just to protest, but to reclaim their dignity and demand the justice they deserve.