Farmers protest against sale of sub standard cotton seeds

Kalaburagi: The Karnataka State Farmers' Association and the Hasiru Sene Taluk Committee staged a protest in Jevargi on Monday using a bullock cart against the sale of substandard cotton seeds by agricultural marts. State secretary of the association Mahesh Subedara, and state joint secretary Allah Patel Ijeri said that poor-quality seeds should not be distributed under any circumstances. They added that strict action must be taken against those responsible if such seeds are found to be sold. Taluk president Mallan Gowda Patil Gaunalli demanded that the distribution of fertilisers through FID be discontinued and restored to the earlier system. The protesters also called for a complete ban on the sale of low-quality cotton seeds. They later submitted a petition to tahsildar Mallanna Yalgod. Agitators alleged that some agri marts in Jevargi taluk had sold substandard seeds, causing heavy losses to farmers who purchased them. In contrast, farmers who bought seeds from other marts reported good yields and profits.