Fake Cotton Seeds Flood Kumaram Bheem District, Farmers Suffer Losses
In Kumaram Bheem-Asifabad district, the illegal sale of fake cotton seeds is growing fast, putting thousands of farmers at risk. Despite warnings from authorities, dishonest traders continue to sell counterfeit seeds, especially in the run-up to the Kharif season.
Most farmers in this region grow cotton due to limited irrigation options. Last year, over 3 lakh acres of land were used to cultivate cotton, and this number may rise even higher this season. Farmers usually trust established seed companies, paying between ₹800 and ₹900 per seed packet for quality and better yields.
But fake seed sellers are taking advantage of farmers’ trust. These traders bring in low-quality seeds from Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, selling them cheaply—sometimes even delivering them directly to farmers’ homes. The low prices attract buyers, but the seeds often fail to grow, leading to major crop failures and financial losses.
Even though the Agriculture Department and local police are running awareness campaigns in villages, many farmers still fall victim to these scams. The situation is especially bad in border areas like Wankidi, Asifabad, Bejjuru, Koutala, Dahagaon, Penchikalpet, Chintalamanepalli, and Sirpur. These mandals have seen a surge in illegal seed deliveries.
Authorities are trying to crack down. The task force police recently raided a location near Penchikalpet and seized 12 quintals of fake seeds worth ₹12 lakh. Despite multiple raids and filed cases, the illegal trade continues.
District Superintendent of Police Srinivasa Rao has taken a strong stance. He warned that anyone involved in cheating farmers, no matter how influential, will face strict action. Police teams are now closely monitoring seed distribution throughout the district.
Still, wealthy and powerful seed smugglers are operating freely through local agents. Until stricter enforcement is in place and farmers receive better support, the problem is likely to continue, deepening the crisis for already struggling cotton growers.
