Pune: The state agriculture department is witnessing a surge in complaints regarding the poor quality of soybean seeds from growers, with over 3,600 grievances registered across the state and nearly 6,000 hectares affected during the ongoing Kharif season.According to official data, 3,615 complaints related to soybean seed germination have been received from farmers across Maharashtra, especially in the soybean-growing districts like Akola, Amravati, Buldhana and Yavatmal.Officials of the department said, “We are also getting complaints from 16 other districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.”In response, the agriculture department has collected and sent 5,638 seed samples to government laboratories for quality analysis. Of these, 581 samples have been declared non-compliant with prescribed standards, indicating serious quality deficiencies in a section of commercially marketed seeds.These tests have triggered legal action against seed companies and raised concerns over the quality of soybean seeds sold to cultivators.Sunil Borkar, director of the quality control and inputs of the agriculture department, told TOI, “It is a serious matter for us. As per the initial report, about 6,000 hectares of soybean farms have been affected mainly in Vidarbha and some parts of Marathwada.”“We are also surprised by the fact that, despite testing these seeds in government laboratories, this problem has occurred. We are investigating the matter thoroughly to understand the issue scientifically,” Borkar added.The department has filed four FIRs against seed companies in Akola, Amravati and Wardha districts so far. The department has also started criminal investigations wherever the prima facie investigations revealed that there was a quality issue or substandard seed was sold. More such FIRs are likely to be filed in the coming days, said the officials.“The authorities should investigate records of these seed companies to check the source of foundation seeds. Most of these companies buy soybeans directly from the market, pack them in different quantities, and sell them back to farmers. They need to show the records of fields, and then only we will be able to understand their business model,” said Vijay Jawandhiya, a veteran agriculture activist from Nagpur.Soybean is Maharashtra’s principal oilseed crop. In the current season, it has been sown on nearly 37.36 lakh hectares. The crop is a major source of income for farmers in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions, making seed quality crucial to ensuring a successful harvest.Officials said more than 18.57 lakh quintals of soybean seeds produced by private companies have been sold in Maharashtra this season. The agriculture department estimates that around 75% of soybean farmers rely on farm-saved seeds, while the remaining ones buy them from the market.“This is a known method that farmers have adopted over the decades. If they have not dried their seeds properly or sow in the low moisture level, or even sowed deeper than 5 cm, then their germination will certainly be poor. Our field officers are investigating all these factors. Also, each sample is tested thoroughly at labs,” said a senior agriculture official requesting anonymity.Vilas Tathod, an activist from Akola district, told TOI that the government is not at all serious about this issue because we have had these complaints in the last few years. The current situation is extremely grim in the Vidarbha region, and it will lead to massive unrest among farmers in the coming months. These seed companies’ licenses should be cancelled forever.A senior official in the seed certification and quality control department said, “Each complaint is being registered and verified. Seed samples are collected and sent to accredited laboratories for testing. Wherever laboratory reports confirm substandard quality, strict legal action is initiated against the concerned companies.”“If seed companies are found responsible for supplying substandard seeds, they could face prosecution under the Seeds Act and related laws. Depending on the findings, authorities may suspend or cancel licences, impose penalties, or recommend compensation for affected farmers,” added another senior agriculture official.
