Khudian writes to Union Agriculture Minister; Highlights bumper crop hope dashed as inclement weather continues
Chandigarh, November 1: In an initiative aimed to protecting farmers from financial exploitation and help them achieve better yields, the Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has constituted five flying squad teams to ensure the seamless and equitable availability of DAP and other fertilisers, quality seeds and pesticides for the Rabi season.
Teams will conduct raids to check illegal hoarding
According to Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian, these teams will conduct raids to check illegal hoarding, black marketing of fertilisers and tagging of unnecessary chemicals with DAP and other fertilisers. These teams will also monitor supplies, maintain standards and ensure quality control through regular checking and sampling, he added.
He further informed that these flying squads will monitor the rates at which retail and wholesale dealers, as well as manufacturing and marketing units of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, sell these products to farmers.
Department collected as many as 2,063 samples of pesticides
Sharing a data of quality control drive undertaken by the Agriculture department from 1st April to 31st October, 2024, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated that the department has collected as many as 2,063 samples of pesticides, resulting in the cancellation of 43 licenses due to misbranding.Additionally, officials collected 1,751 samples of chemical fertilizers, 100 samples of biofertilizers, and 40 samples of organic manures. In response to the misbranded samples, authorities cancelled licenses for 48 firms and registered three FIRs, he added.
No one will exploit farmers.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led the Punjab Government in reiterating its commitment to the welfare of farmers in the state. He announced that each team has received assignments for four to five districts to closely monitor the sale and supply of seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers, ensuring protection for farmers’ interests. They will also monitor the demand and supply of these agricultural inputs for farmers. He firmly stated that no one would exploit farmers, and that authorities would take strict legal action against anyone found engaging in illegal practices.
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