Scarcity of maize seeds is leading to increase in prices: Punjab MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh
Punjab MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh has urged CM Bhagwant Mann to regulate maize seed sales amid an artificial shortage, driving prices up to ₹4,000 per bag from ₹2,600. He called for action against unscrupulous dealers and intervention by the agriculture department to ensure fair pricing and availability.
Kapurthala (Punjab) February 20, 2025: Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjeet Singh today said that maize cultivation in Punjab has started but there is scarcity of seeds due which farmers are forced to purchase seeds at exorbitant prices.
He demanded from the Punjab government that sale of maize seeds should be regularised and asked state’s agriculture and farmers’ welfare department to increase surveillance on unscrupulous dealers selling maize seeds.
In a letter written to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Rana Gurjeet Singh apprised him of the scenario and said that maize seed sellers have deliberately created scarcity of 1899 variety right ahead of the sowing season.
As per my information this seed is available at a price between Rs. 3,500 to 4,000 per bag of four kilogram against the normal price of Rs. 2,600 only, wrote the legislator from Kapurthala.
Punjab farmers will need plenty of seeds in the near future as area under the crop is expected to expand and with the prevalent situation, farmers are getting exploited by the seed sellers who are exploiting the situation for profiteering, he apprehended in the letter to the Chief Minister.
“By now the department of agriculture and farmers welfare should have kept an eye on the situation and stepped into the matter taking corrective steps to control the situation,” he said suggesting that companies selling maize seeds can be easily approached to ensure that price level is kept under check however, nothing is being done in this direction as apparently some functionaries of the department are hand in glove with the traders.
The law maker concluded the letter requesting the Chief Minister that in the interest of farming community immediate and appropriate steps be initiated and in the interest of farming community necessary instructions be issued to the concerned quarters to ensure that maize seed is made available to farmers in the desired quantity in time and at controlled rates.
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Source : Babushahi
