Farmers in Telangana's Mulugu seek agreements with seed companies after losses; over 2,000 acres hit, protests bring compensation
MULUGU: Drawing from their recent experience where spurious seeds are believed to have caused crop failure and reduced yields, farmers in Mulugu district have decided to start cultivation only after securing mutual agreements with seed companies.
This decision comes after 2,186 acres of crop across 18 villages in three mandals - Venkatapuram, Wajedu, and Kannaigudem - suffered damage due to spurious maize seeds supplied by companies. Without any prior agreements in place, farmers protested for three months to secure compensation for their ruined crops.
During a visit to affected villages like Arunachalapuram, Yogitta Nagar, Chiruthapally, and Murumuru, farmers told TOI about their long-standing involvement in contract farming, where seed companies deploy middlemen (locally known as organisers) as intermediaries. While they previously achieved minimum yields of 60% even in unfavourable conditions, this season witnessed an unprecedented drop of 10% to 20%, causing distress among farmers.
This decision comes after 2,186 acres of crop across 18 villages in three mandals - Venkatapuram, Wajedu, and Kannaigudem - suffered damage due to spurious maize seeds supplied by companies. Without any prior agreements in place, farmers protested for three months to secure compensation for their ruined crops.
During a visit to affected villages like Arunachalapuram, Yogitta Nagar, Chiruthapally, and Murumuru, farmers told TOI about their long-standing involvement in contract farming, where seed companies deploy middlemen (locally known as organisers) as intermediaries. While they previously achieved minimum yields of 60% even in unfavourable conditions, this season witnessed an unprecedented drop of 10% to 20%, causing distress among farmers.
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