SYLHET, Nov 21: Farmers are being cheated in buying seeds of hybrid varieties of Boro paddy in different areas of Sunamganj as the farming season is already on in the vast haor region.
A number of farmers in Shulla upazila of Suamganj alleged that they had bought hybrid variety seeds named 'Agrani' from a local market, but it did not yield plants as told by the sellers. The seller did not heed to the complaint too.
One Nripendra Das of Angaura village under Shulla upazila said, "I had bought 10 kg hybrid seeds (Agrani-7) from Uttam Roy's shop at Shulla upazila town weeks ago. I also kept the seeds wet for certain period as asked by the seller, but it didn't yield plants and last of all got damaged."
Farmer Babul Das of Anandapur village claim the same complaint.
Both of them had brought the matter to the notice of upazila Agriculture Officer, but no effect.
In a fresh bid, they then had to go for normal HYV varieties like BRRI-28 and BRRI-29 for cultivating on their own lands.
Meanwhile, poor farmers of the haor region are suffering much as they are unable to purchase even 1.5 kg seeds by selling one maund of paddy.
A number of farmers said per kg seed of hybrid varieties like Janakraj, Hira, Jagoron or Agrani etc is beong sold at Tk 300 to Tk 320 where as one maund paddy is being sold at Tk 550 to Tk 650 at the local markets.
Contacted an official at the DAE said any cheated farmer can lodge complaint with the upazila level committee for monitoring seeds and fertilizer. However they would have to submit the seed pack and receipt as mark of proof, the official said, then steps would be taken against the seller or dealer by realising compensation.
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