In a significant operation ahead of the kharif season, the flying squad of the Wardha agriculture department conducted a raid at a godown in Nachangaon, Wardha district, and seized 1,850 packets of banned HTBT seeds valued at approximately Rs 18 lakh. The action was taken based on a tip-off regarding the illegal storage and sale of these prohibited seeds over the past several days.
Details of the Raid
The flying squad acted swiftly upon receiving credible information about the illicit activities. During the raid, officials recovered the entire stock of banned HTBT seeds from the godown. Agriculture officials suspect that dubious companies have been misleading farmers by marketing these seeds as high-yield varieties, attracting them especially during the kharif season.
Warning to Farmers
The agriculture department has issued a strong appeal to farmers, urging them to purchase seeds only from authorized sellers. The use of banned HTBT seeds can lead to severe losses in farming, as they are not approved for cultivation and may cause crop failure or other agricultural issues.
Legal Action and Further Investigations
A case has been registered at Pulgaon police station, and officials have vowed to take strict action against those involved. Notably, a large stock of fake fertilizers was also seized from the same area a few days ago, indicating a pattern of illegal agricultural input distribution. Farmer organizations have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter and stringent punishment for the perpetrators.
The agriculture department continues to monitor the situation and advises farmers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious sales of seeds or fertilizers.
