Haveri
Soybean farmers in Haveri district are expressing frustration after seeds distributed by the Agriculture Department failed to germinate even 10 days after sowing. Farmers who received seeds from the Karjagi Hobli Farmers Contact Center report that most seeds have not sprouted, causing distress and financial loss.
Villages including Karjagi, Konanathambagi, and Devagiri have seen widespread crop failure, affecting over 200 farmers. Typically, soybean seeds should emerge within seven days of sowing, but only a few scattered seedlings have appeared in fields, with some areas showing no growth at all.
Farmers invested thousands of rupees in sowing these seeds, relying on recent good rains that have now stopped, worsening the situation. The failure to germinate has led to demands for appropriate compensation from the Agriculture Department.
District Farmers’ Association General Secretary Mallikarjuna Bellary emphasized that compensation for poor-quality seeds alone is insufficient. He urged the department to ensure distribution of standard, quality seeds to prevent future losses and support farmers’ livelihoods.
The farmers’ confidence in the Agriculture Department has been shaken, and they insist on immediate action to rectify the issue and avoid further damage in the current sowing season.
Following the farmers' allegations, agriculture officials went to the farmers' fields and inspected them. They inspected the spot to find out the reason for the seeds not sprouting. The officials said that they will find out the exact reason.