New Delhi: Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has directed officials to take stringent action against those involved in the production and distribution of substandard fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides. Speaking during a departmental review meeting at Krishi Bhawan, the Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring high-quality inputs for farmers to safeguard their livelihoods and crop productivity.
Chouhan expressed grave concern over complaints from farmers regarding fake or poor-quality agricultural inputs that lead to significant losses. “Farmers must be assured access to good-quality fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides under all circumstances,” he stated.
He criticized the lack of effective prosecution and penalties for offenders in several states, noting that many culprits either escape punishment or receive minimal penalties. Chouhan pledged to address this issue by engaging directly with state governments to ensure strict and consistent action.
The Union Minister underlined the crucial role of state governments in tackling this problem, especially with the upcoming crop season. He announced plans to hold discussions with Chief Ministers and State Agriculture Ministers to strengthen monitoring, investigation, and prosecution processes.
“Effective action must be taken against big sellers and manufacturers of substandard products using existing laws and procedures,” Chouhan said. He urged officials to intensify efforts to prevent such practices, ensuring farmers are not subjected to exploitation.
Chouhan also proposed a nationwide campaign to monitor the quality of agricultural inputs. He directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan, which will be implemented jointly by central and state governments. Inputs from farmers will be incorporated to ensure the campaign addresses real-world issues effectively.
The campaign aims to ensure strict quality checks, from manufacturing to distribution, preventing fake or inferior products from reaching farmers.
Highlighting the importance of timely action, Chouhan stressed that all measures should prioritize farmers’ welfare. He reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting farmers from losses caused by poor-quality inputs.
The Minister concluded by urging officials to expedite the implementation of measures to ensure high-quality inputs, stating, “In the interest of crores of farmers, no compromise will be tolerated.”
This renewed focus on quality assurance and enforcement reflects the government’s dedication to strengthening India’s agricultural sector and securing the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
