Police crack the whip on sale and distribution of spurious seeds

Telangana Police have launched a state-wide crackdown on sale and distribution of spurious seeds, including the banned herbicide-tolerant cotton varieties, amid concerns over the impact on farmers’ livelihoods and crop productivity.

According to Director General of Police (DGP) Jitender, a joint task force comprising police personnel, agriculture officials and seed corporation officials has been activated at the district level to identify and prosecute those selling fake, substandard, or expired seeds. The offenders are being booked under multiple laws, including the Seeds Act, Environmental Protection Act and even the BNS Act.

Police are also targeting vendors peddling illegal B.G. III (herbicide tolerant) cotton seeds, which are banned under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. “These sellers are playing with the lives of innocent farmers. When crops fail due to spurious seeds, farmers pay a heavy price,” the officer said, referring to the rise in farmer suicides linked to poor yields.

The offences range from selling low-germination seeds to passing off grains as seeds, relabelling expired stock and operating without licences. Some have been caught distributing seeds in torn or unlabelled containers, while others have diverted government-subsidised seeds for private sale. Cases under relevant laws, some carrying prison terms of up to seven years, are being registered.

As a deterrent, authorities are seizing assets used in the manufacture and sale of these fake seeds by invoking provisions of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Police are also not hesitating to invoke the Preventive Detention Act in severe cases.

In recent weeks, raids in Vikarabad, Gadwal, and the commissionerates of Rachakonda, Warangal and Ramagundam, have led to significant seizures of illegal seeds and pesticides.

Farmers have been urged to procure seeds only from authorised dealers and report any suspicious activities related to seeds, fertilizers or pesticides, to the nearest police station.

Published - May 31, 2025 06:55 pm IST