Gadwal: To safeguard the interests of cotton seed farmers, District Collector B.M. Santosh has mandated that seed companies purchase all cotton seeds grown by local farmers. He stressed that these companies must operate with honesty and clarity, ensuring no farmer’s effort is wasted.
The directive was made during a review meeting on Thursday at the IDOC Conference Hall. This meeting included officials from the Agriculture Department, seed company representatives, and seed organizers. The Collector emphasized the state government’s focus on farmer welfare and cautioned against actions that might upset farmers.
Key Meeting Points:
Cultivation extends over 40,000 acres in Jogulamba Gadwal, making it a major income source. Farmers used seeds from 35 companies, which are now required to buy back all produced seeds, protecting farmers financially.
Collector Santosh demanded written guarantees from companies to confirm their commitment to purchasing the entire yield, eliminating any doubts.
Recent issues were addressed, with the Collector urging company cooperation to resolve them quickly.
Law & Order Concerns:
District SP Srinivasa Rao noted recent farmer protests in Bingi Doddi, where farmers blocked roads for four hours. He warned of legal actions if such incidents happen again and urged companies to address grievances swiftly. Farmers were advised to report any issues directly to the district administration or police.
The SP also reminded companies to follow the procurement norms observed for the past 30 years.
Collector’s Address to Farmers:
Outside the meeting, Collector Santosh assured farmers that the government supports them and will ensure justice. He asked farmers to ignore false rumors about seed procurement. Written commitments from companies were secured, confirming full-scale procurement.
Meeting Attendees:
- Additional Collector Lakshmi Narayana
- Joint Director of Agriculture Sujatha
- District Agriculture Officer Sakriya Naik
- Agricultural Development Officer Sangeeta Lakshmi
- Seed company representatives
- Seed organizers
- Farmers from across the district
This initiative by the district administration aims to ease tensions between farmers and seed companies, crucial during peak procurement. Recent protests highlight farmer concerns over past procurement delays. By requiring written commitments and warning of legal repercussions, the administration seeks to build trust and prevent future unrest.
This move aligns with the Revanth Reddy-led state government’s policy on farmer welfare, transparency, and accountability among agribusinesses. As procurement promises are implemented, both farmers and officials will be watchful. Any failure could lead to more protests, but the proactive approach of senior officials is encouraging.
The Jogulamba Gadwal district’s swift action has prevented further crisis and set an example of responsible governance and corporate responsibility in agriculture. Collaboration among farmers, seed companies, and officials is now crucial to ensuring smooth procurement and fair compensation, maintaining trust in the system.
