Yavatmal: Farmers in Yavatmal district are facing a major setback after soyabean seeds sown across hundreds of hectares failed to germinate, resulting in significant financial losses. So far, nearly two lakh hectares have been brought under soyabean cultivation in the district.As many as 319 farmers have lodged complaints with the agriculture department, alleging poor germination of soyabean seeds. While the agriculture department has initiated inspections, farmers allege that seed companies and agricultural input dealers are ignoring their grievances.Dheeraj Mohekar, quality control officer, agriculture department, said, “We have received several complaints from farmers regarding the failure of soyabean seeds to germinate this season.”The kharif season sowing has been completed on nearly seven lakh hectares across the district, of which around two lakh hectares are under soyabean cultivation. Most complaints have been received regarding the poor performance of different soyabean seed varieties, particularly the “Hututu” variety.Farmers said they preferred the Hututu variety as it delivered satisfactory yields last season. However, this year, the seeds reportedly turned out to be of inferior quality, resulting in little or no germination.Following the crop failure, many affected farmers were forced to undertake fresh sowing, leading to additional expenses. Officials say the number of complaints is likely to rise in the coming days.Farmers have accused seed companies of supplying substandard soyabean seeds, causing losses worth lakhs of rupees. They have demanded adequate compensation for the losses and cancellation of the licence of the company responsible for supplying the defective seeds.Ranjit Dandge, a farmer from Mitnapur village in Babulgaon taluka, used the Hututu soyabean variety on his farm. However, the crop failed to germinate. He subsequently filed a complaint with the agriculture department.
