5 days ago
Salem Farmers Raise Alarm Over Subsidised Maize Seed Performance
Farmers in Salem, Tamil Nadu, are unhappy with one type of subsidised maize seed.
They say the seed, called Advanta 762, produced much less maize than other varieties.
Some farmers harvested about 15 bags per acre instead of nearly 40 bags.
Because of this, many farmers say they could not recover their farming costs.
They want the government to offer a different seed or let them choose seeds as before.
Agriculture officials say the seed was properly tested and had at least a 90 percent germination rate.
Officials believe poor rainfall was the main reason for last year’s low harvest.
The government has now obtained another variety called DHM 206.
More subsidised seeds are planned for Salem this season.
Farmers in several Salem district areas say subsidised Advanta 762 maize seeds produced poor yields.
Farmers reported harvesting about 15 bags per acre, compared with nearly 40 bags from other varieties.
They are seeking an alternative seed or restoration of the earlier subsidy system allowing seed choice.
Agriculture officials said Advanta 762 met the 90 per cent germination standard and was notified for five states.
Officials attributed last season’s poor yields mainly to inadequate rainfall and sourced DHM 206 as an alternative.
- Who
- Maize farmers in Salem district and Tamil Nadu Agriculture Department officials, including V.S. Govindaraj and K. Srinivasan.
- What
- Farmers are disputing the performance and suitability of subsidised Advanta 762 maize seeds.
- Where
- Attur, Pethanaickenpalayam, Vazhapadi and other areas of Salem district, Tamil Nadu.
- When
- The concerns relate mainly to last season’s harvest, while 58 tonnes have been sanctioned for the current season.
- Why
- Farmers say the seeds produced poor yields and caused losses; officials attribute the poor harvest mainly to inadequate rainfall.
Farmers’ concerns
Agriculture officials’ response
Yield performance
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers said Advanta 762 produced about 15 bags per acre, far below the nearly 40 bags they reported from other varieties.
Agriculture officials’ response
Officials said the certified F1 variety could yield around 3.5 tonnes per acre under favourable conditions.
Reason for poor harvest
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers said the variety was unsuitable for Salem’s soil and climatic conditions.
Agriculture officials’ response
Joint Director K. Srinivasan attributed last year’s poor yield mainly to inadequate rainfall.
Future distribution
Farmers’ concerns
Farmers want an alternative variety or the earlier subsidy system that allowed them to choose seeds, and many are reluctant to repurchase Advanta 762.
Agriculture officials’ response
Officials defended the variety as government-notified, inspected and distributed across 20 Tamil Nadu districts, while also sourcing DHM 206 as a cheaper alternative.
Key facts
- Seed variety
- Advanta 762
- Reported farmer yield
- About 15 bags of maize per acre from the subsidised seeds
- Comparison yield
- Nearly 40 bags per acre from better-performing varieties
- Seed price
- Reduced from about Rs 420 to Rs 320 per kilogram under subsidy
- Current Salem allocation
- 58 tonnes of subsidised maize seeds
- Area covered
- Approximately 1,866 hectares
- Germination standard
- Officials said every batch met the prescribed 90 per cent standard
- Alternative variety
- DHM 206 has been sourced after farmers’ reluctance to buy Advanta 762
Sources
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