regulatory intervention to protect farmers and public health.
Two major developments this week highlight the issue:
- In Karnataka, political leaders have demanded criminal action against firms involved in supplying spurious seeds and fertilizers.
- In Telangana, senior doctors have urged the Centre to ban or strictly regulate paraquat, a lethal herbicide linked to multiple farmer deaths and suicides.
Karnataka: Crackdown on Fake Inputs
In the wake of several farmer complaints and recent raids, the BJP Karnataka unit has pressed the state government to initiate criminal proceedings against companies supplying counterfeit seeds and adulterated fertilizers.
Opposition leader R. Ashoka stated,
“This is not just economic fraud it’s sabotage of farmers’ livelihoods. We demand a full investigation and accountability from manufacturers and distributors.”
Fake seeds not only lead to crop failure and financial losses, but they also erode farmers’ trust in agricultural systems. Activists have called for real-time seed authentication tools, stricter licensing, and state-level regulatory bodies to oversee seed quality.
Telangana: Paraquat Under Scrutiny
Meanwhile, in Telangana, doctors from leading hospitals have raised alarm over the rampant, unregulated sale of paraquat, a herbicide so toxic that just 10–15 ml can be fatal. Though banned in over 50 countries, paraquat continues to be sold in India with minimal restrictions.
Dr. G. Anuradha from Gandhi Medical College reported that dozens of suicide cases each year involve paraquat ingestion, and survivors often suffer permanent lung and kidney damage.
“There is no known antidote to paraquat. Its sale should be restricted under a national pesticide safety law,” she emphasized.
A National Problem, A Call for Unified Action
Agricultural experts and farmer organizations have joined voices to demand a centralized framework for:
- Quality control of seeds and fertilizers
- Mandatory QR codes for input verification
- A national registry of banned or high-risk agrochemicals
- Mental health support and education in rural areas
The Centre has acknowledged the growing concern. A senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture said a review of paraquat regulations and seed certification mechanisms is currently under discussion.
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