Farmers of 8 Rangpur dists apprehensive about Aman seeds’ quality

RANGPUR, July 10: The farmers in 8 districts under Rangpur division are worried as sale of substandard and adulterated Aman paddy seeds has become rampant in the region during the peak sowing season.  
A number of farmers at different districts of the division said that they have already prepared their seedbeds and presently they are preparing for the Aman cultivation with much apprehension. Many of them are concerned about the productivity of the seeds which they have sown in the seedbeds.
They alleged that they go to markets to collect quality seeds but are often cheated with fake seeds. " I was duped by a seed vendor last year as the seed did not germinate as a result I had to incur financial loss. We cannot even depend on seeds that are being sold under BADC labels in the open markets," said Saidur, a farmer of Kawnia upazila in Rangpur district.  
While visiting different areas of the region this correspondent found most of the seed merchants were selling low quality paddy seeds including Indian Guti Swarna paddy seeds using attractive advertisement.
Several farmers said that they are unable to differentiate fake and poor quality seeds from the good ones. Some farmers say that production costs increased last year as they had to buy seeds the second time after being cheated by seed traders.  
A number of farmers of the region told The Financial Express that they are confused over the output of the spurious seeds.
It may be mentioned here that some dishonest traders were convicted and punished by mobile courts on many occasions on charge of selling fake paddy seeds but the illegal business is still going on unabated.
DAE Sources said, these kind of low quality paddy seeds carrying germs may cause different diseases in Aman paddy consequently the production of the paddy may be declined.
Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) official sources said that farmers must plant good quality seeds approved by the government to avoid losses due to weeds and diseases. DAE officials have also warned that action will be taken against traders selling adulterated or low quality paddy seeds.

Success in sanitation
A BSS report says: Speakers at a sanitary latrine distribution ceremony yesterday said the rural public health index has marked improvement with reduction in water-borne diseases following laudable success achieved in sanitation coverage.
World Vision Bangladesh (WVB) under its Area Development Programme (ADP) organised the ceremony at Notkhana Balapara village under Sadar upazila in Nilphamari for distributing latrines among 80 backward families of Notkhana and Tarunibari villages.