From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Apr 25: With pre-monsoon showers already starting in different parts of the state and farmers getting ready for sowing for the Khariff season, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has warned farmers to be cautious about using spurious agriculture seeds and urged all only to use certified sees.

He mentioned that the State Agriculture Department had already seized huge quantities of spurious maize seeds stored in some of godowns in Haveri, Dharward and Ballari districts on Friday.

The Agriculture Department carried out the raids on the directions of the State Agriculture Minister B C Patil.

The detection of the huge quantities of spurious agriculture seeds has unearthed the big racket by unscrupulous traders to exploit the farmers, Yediyurappa said and appealed to farmers not to fall prey to such rackets in order to save some money as ultimately they will suffer heavy losses.

The total quantity of the seized spurious seeds seized in Haveri, Dharwad and Ballari districts was 7366 quintals and the value was estimated to be around Rs 10 crore.

Warmly appreciating the initiative and zeal of the Agriculture Minister, the Chief Minister pointed that about 7,206 quintals of spurious seeds from Byadgi in Haveri district, 270.60 quintals from Dharwad and another 70 quintals from Hadagali in Ballari district had been seized.

The Chief Minister urged the farmers, who are growing maize in about 10 to 11 districts of the state, to use the certified and approved seeds.

The State Government is committed to root out the mafia selling spurious agriculture seeds and pesticides as it will cause irreparable damage to the farmers and the farm sector.