Amtali farmers face losses for poor quality paddy seeds

AMTALI, BARGUNA, Sept 26: More than 200 farmers in Surikata area of Amtali Upazila have alleged that they were deceived after buying BRRI-98 paddy seeds, with many failing to get the expected yield nearly five months after planting the crop.

The farmers said they were already facing losses during the Aus season and were now uncertain about cultivating Aman on the same land.
Recently, affected farmers gathered in Surikata carrying bunches of rice plants and complained about the quality of the seeds. 

They alleged that they bought the seeds from dealer Mohammad Khalek Hawladar of Bandhghat area under the Amtali municipality and suffered losses as a result.

They demanded action against the dealer.

The farmers said they prepared their land and bought BRRI-98 seeds in April before raising seedlings and later transplanting them in the fields.

According to the farmers, BRRI-98 rice is generally expected to mature in around 110 days. But even after that period had passed, many fields had failed to produce the expected yield.

The farmers said they contacted Khalek Hawladar over the matter but did not receive a satisfactory solution. They suspect that a different variety may have been sold in packets labelled as BRRI-98.

The dealer, however, denied the allegation.

The farmers said they had planned to harvest the Aus crop and immediately prepare the same land for Aman cultivation. But poor yields have delayed the clearing of the fields, creating uncertainty over the Aman season as well.

They fear their combined losses could exceed Tk 1 crore.

“I planted BRRI-98 seedlings on eight acres, but the yield has not been satisfactory. Now I cannot prepare the land for Aman either. I cultivated the crop with loans and debts. I do not know what to do now,” said farmer Dulal Hawladar.

“We have been left with nothing. I do not know how we will run our families. We demand punishment for dealer Khalek Hawladar,” said farmer Delwar Gazi.

Abdul Aziz said farming was his main source of income and his family depended on the earnings from rice cultivation throughout the year.

“We cultivate both Aus and Aman rice. But this year, we are uncertain whether we will be able to properly cultivate either crop,” he said.

Denying the allegations, dealer Khalek Hawladar said he had sold the seeds exactly as he received them from the company.

“I did not package any other variety of rice under the Ayan Seed label. I sold the seeds to farmers in the same form in which the company supplied them,” he said.

Amtali Upazila Agriculture Officer Mohammad Russell said officials had inspected the affected fields after receiving the complaint.

“We are looking into the matter. We have already spoken to the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute and the Seed Certification Agency. 

They will visit the area and inspect the situation. If the dealer is found to have violated regulations while selling the seeds, action will be taken according to the rules,” he said.

Amtali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Hasan Mohammad Hafizur Rahman said necessary measures would be taken after looking into the matter.