Date:12/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061210430300.htm

Karnataka - Bidar

Soya bean seeds scarce in Bidar district

By Our Staff Correspondent

BIDAR, JUNE 11. A four-fold increase in the demand for oilseeds from farmers has led to a severe scarcity of soya bean seeds in the district.

Officials of the Agriculture Department first introduced soya bean in Bidar in 2003-04. It was cultivated in nearly 11,000 hectares last year. This year, the crop is expected to cover over 10 per cent of the 3.75 lakh hectares across the five taluks in the district.

But now, the supply of seeds has become a problem for the department. Farmers in Bhalki locked the Raitha Samparka Kendra, the seed distribution centre, on Wednesday to protest against the scarcity. In Aurad, farmers stormed the Kendra and took away the seeds two days ago. Farmers also forced the unloading of a truck carrying seeds, bound for Bidar, in Halbarga in Bhalki taluk.

Farmers like Ramesh Rathod of Chikkalwadi in Aurad taluk have been waiting for seeds for the past two days. "I will return only after buying at least a part of what I need," he said. He felt that while large farmers got subsidised seeds easily, it was more difficult for small farmers to procure them. Officials say that the sudden spurt in the demand for soya was unexpected.

They caution that this inclination for soya bean may not be in the best interests of the farmers. Under a massive programme of the State Government, seeds are supplied to small and marginal farmers at half the market price. Similarly, those who hold between one and two hectares are identified as small farmers. Last year, over 1,200 quintals of soya seeds were distributed to small and marginal farmers in Bidar. In mid-December 2003, the zilla panchayat passed a resolution asking the Agriculture Department to make arrangements to double this amount for the 2004 kharif season.

"We have already procured and distributed 4,000 quintals of seeds. But it seems there is a demand for a further 2,000 quintals of seeds," said Aman Shakaib, Joint Director of Agriculture.

Officials in Aurad and Bhalki taluks warned of a possible misuse of the subsidy by large farmers. Officials in Aurad taluk alleged that groups of farmers had quarrelled with officials who objected to large farmers seeking subsidised seeds. They said that some of the large farm families had certified their holdings as small and marginal by dividing the total holding among family members.