Gadwal’s Dr. S.A. Sampath Kumar, a former Alampur MLA and AICC Secretary, took part in an important meeting organized by the Telangana State Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Department. This meeting focused on tackling the issue of fake cotton seeds. Dr. Sampath Kumar, known for his commitment to farmer issues, was actively involved.
Two agriculture officials from Gadwal district joined the meeting, highlighting the area’s commitment to solving this problem. Kodanda Reddy, Chairman of the Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Commission, praised Dr. Sampath Kumar for his dedication to farmers. He noted that Dr. Sampath Kumar has consistently supported farmers since his days as an MLA.
During the meeting, Dr. Sampath Kumar addressed the issue of misleading seed testing practices. He explained that companies conduct unofficial Grow-Out Tests (GOT) in unauthorized labs, falsely claiming seeds fail these tests. This deception has caused significant distress and even led to tragic outcomes for farmers.
Dr. Sampath Kumar pointed out inconsistencies in seed test results, with the same seed showing different success rates in various labs. This inconsistency exposes the fraudulent activities behind GOT tests. He expressed empathy for farmers, saying they trust nature and their seeds, and when this trust is broken, it deeply affects them.
He emphasized the Congress government’s commitment to protecting farmers and stressed that any injustice against them will not be tolerated. Dr. Sampath Kumar criticized seed companies for delaying test results, which pushes farmers into debt with high interest rates. He questioned why seeds that fail tests are still sold to farmers, revealing that these are repackaged and sold under new names for profit, causing farmer losses.
Dr. Sampath Kumar shared his past experience of being jailed for 75 days while fighting against Kaveri Seeds Company, affirming his unwavering resolve to support farmers. The Agriculture and Farmer Welfare Commission members praised his dedication and suggested that seed companies create special stalls to gather feedback from farmers directly. Dr. Sampath Kumar urged the government to compensate affected farmers and bring happiness back to their lives.
The meeting included several dignitaries and stakeholders like Kodanda Reddy, Bhavani Reddy, K.V.N. Reddy, and Sri Ram Reddy Gopal Reddy, as well as representatives from cotton seed companies and Gadwal district agriculture officers. This gathering aimed to strengthen regulations and safeguard farmers from fraudulent seed practices.
