Rotten garlic seeds distributed to farmers

Betul, MP, Nov 18 (UNI) Several complaints regarding irregularity in distribution of garlic seed and rotten garlic seeds being distributed had been received in Betul district of Madhya Pradesh.

The complaints include distribution of seeds after the end of the sowing season and rotten seeds being distributed besides favouritism in seed distribution.

Farmer Gopal Pawar, who took a kit of seeds from the Horticulture Department, said he was given a kit containing three kg garlic seeds after the sowing season ended. Half of the seeds were damaged, while the rest were not worth sowing.

He said earlier the department informed him of lack of availability of seeds. However, later seeds were distributed to their favorites hurriedly.

Department sources put the blame for rotting of seeds on Agriculture Scientific Centre. The government had allocated funds for distributing three quintal garlic seeds as a part of a scheme, the sources said adding that under the scheme, three kg garlic seeds per farmer had to be distributed.

So far, only 176 kits had been distributed and half of the seeds were rotten. Horticulture Department Joint Director R P Sarode told UNI that he would get the matter investigated.

UNI