Samples of agricultural inputs found substandard during surprise checks
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has found three samples of seeds and insecticides substandard during surprise checks in Kurukshetra.
The check was carried out as part of the department drive to ensure that quality seeds and insecticides are available to farmers in the market.
As per information, 111 samples, including 21 of fertilisers, 30 of insecticides and 60 samples of seeds, were drawn during the surprise checks and these were sent to lab for testing.
The results 72 samples have been received and of these three samples — one of insecticide and two of seeds — were found substandard. The results of the remaining samples are yet to be received.
Teams comprising Quality Control Inspector Shishpal, Sub-Divisional Officer Agriculture Jitender Mehta, and Assistant Plant Protection Officer Anil Chauhan have been conducting the surprise checks.
A department official said the samples were drawn to check the quality and purity of the seeds, fertilisers, and insecticides so that farmers don’t face any crop loss. Besides the samples sent earlier, five samples were taken on Thursday, and more were drawn during the inspection on Friday. The samples will be sent for testing to state laboratories and further action will be taken on the basis of the results.
Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA), Kurukshetra, Karamchand said, “Due to the ongoing sowing of various corps during the kharif season, there is a constant demand for agricultural inputs like fertilisers, seeds and insecticides in the market. Following the directions from the headquarters, instructions were given to the staff to conduct surprise sampling at the dealers’ shops located at grain markets and other locations to ensure that only quality farm inputs are being provided to the farmers. They have been told to collect samples of all kind of products with a special focus on newly introduced products.”
“The dealers have been directed to make sure that only good products are sold else appropriate action will be initiated as per the Seeds Act and Insecticide Act. The farmers are also advised to get the bill their purchase so that appropriate action can be taken in case any substandard or spurious product is sold,” he added.
The DDA said during the inspection several dealers closed their shops and left, following which show-cause notices had been issued to nearly 20 dealers, and appropriate action will be initiated. The fertilisers and insecticides inspectors have been directed to keep a close watch on the dealers and stocks available in the market.
Haryana Tribune