HAVERI:
The Agriculture Department is set to initiate a criminal case against Srinivas Agro Center in the city for allegedly deceiving farmers by selling a product falsely claimed to control thistle weeds.
A viral video on social media recently promoted a remedy for thistle infestation in maize and other crops. Farmers, lured by the promise, gathered in large numbers at the agro centre expecting the solution.
Acting on reports, Agriculture Department officials inspected the store and seized the product being sold as a herbicide. The sample was sent for lab testing, and the results revealed that it contained no weed-killing agents. Officials are now preparing to file criminal charges against the shop owner for misleading farmers.
Tensions flared during the inspection, with farmers defending the shop, arguing the agro centre was trying to help them. Officials, however, clarified that unverified and ineffective products can harm both crops and livelihoods and sent the crowd away peacefully.
Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, K. Mallikarjuna, confirmed that Geetha Thippeshappa Poojara, owner of Srinivas Agro Center, had sold a mixture of Weed Master, BASF’s Tinzer, and Atrazine to farmers without any proven efficacy against thistles.
BOX:
“No one who cheats farmers will be spared. Based on the Assistant Director's report, we will move to cancel Srinivas Agro Center’s license,” said K. Mallikarjuna, Joint Director, Agriculture Department.