ROURKELA: Farmers in Bonai sub-division of Sundargarh district are irked over limited supply of subsidised high yield varieties of seeds. Sources said a large number of farmers are yet to get subsidised seeds supplied by Odisha State Seed Supply Corporation (OSSSC). The agitated farmers locked the office of Bonai LAMPS in protest on Wednesday. Bonai Krushak Sangh president Dambrudhar Kishan said seed sowing has already started in the sub-division from May 22 yet farmers are forced to buy hybrid seeds at a higher cost of `3,500-4,000 per quintal. He said farmers usually keep required stock of seeds with them and start sowing when the time is right. Farmers of Sundargarh and Panposh sub-divisions too have complained of not getting adequate subsidised seeds.
However, agriculture authorities said it is not possible for OSSSC to meet the demand of all farmers in the sub-divisions. Sources said in this kharif crop season, it has been planned to cultivate paddy on 2.09 hectare of land for which around 1.04 lakh quintals seeds are required. The district administration, during the agriculture strategy meeting last month, had made tentative programmes for seed distribution to the tune of 30,892 quintals. But, the Government has allowed distribution of only 15,100 quintals in Sundargarh district through 44 LAMPS offices, three cooperative societies and 76 authorised private dealers. They said farmers also prepare their own seeds for personal use.
Sundargarh Deputy Director of Agriculture (DDA) R N Satpathy said last year about 13,000 quintal seeds were distributed through LAMPS offices and other cooperative societies in the district. He said this year, so far 13,576 quintals of targeted 15,100 quintals have already been distributed. He added that the process of supplying seeds is continuing.
The official said on Thursday, 200 quintals of seeds were sent to Bonai block, while 50 quintals would reach Gurundia block in Bonai sub-division in a day or two. He said they are right on track to meet the Government target in all 17 blocks of the district. Sources said the Government has supplied paddy seeds that are priced at `2,717 per quintal and the subsidy comes to `1,117. Varieties, including Puja, Swarna, 1001, Pratikhya, 1010, DR-42, Lala, Sahabhagi, Mrunalini and Manaswini are being supplied to the farmers.