Maharashtra govt mulls legislation to check fake seeds, fertilisers

The Maharashtra government is planning to enact a legislation to protect farmers against fake seeds and fertilisers which cause crop losses. Agriculture Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil told the Legislative Assembly that the new legislation will regulate the quality and prices of seeds and fertilisers.

Due to government efforts, black-marketing of seeds and fertilisers have been checked. There are 393 flying squads to monitor the fake seeds, black-marketing, he said. The government will also take steps to encourage climate- related farming and crop insurance scheme.

Climatic changes and global warming are having a negative impact on farmers, he said, adding that crop insurance scheme based on climatic changes will see increased share of state government in the insurance premium. Implementation of the existing crop insurance scheme in Amravati and Nagpur divisions have not been successful, he admitted and said show-cause notices have been issued to the officials concerned.
The minister said a meeting of the agriculture insurance corporation and the state government will be convened soon to discuss effective implementation of the crop insurance scheme.