Rajasthan to relook at MoUs for hybrid seeds

The state will take a relook at the memorandum of understandings (MoUs) signed with various multi-national companies for supplying hybrid seeds to it. The decision comes after the umbrella organisation of various farmers bodies in the states expressed their ire over the MoUs to agriculture minister Hajiram Budak and chief minister Ashok Gehlot.

The organisation said the agriculture minister has assured of addressing their grievances. According to Bhagwan Sahay of Kishan Seva Samiti Mahasangh, "Some of these companies with whom the state government has signed an MoU have been banned from other states. The government move is anti-farmer."

Recently, the state signed MoUs with various companies for supplying hybrid seeds for several crops including cabbage, cauliflower, cotton, wheat, pulses etc. The state had signed these MoU with an aim to increase the productivity for farmers, but those opposing it feel once these seeds are sown, the soil will never be able to support the indigenous seeds.

"It is feared that the companies supplying these seeds may hike their prices unproportionately in the coming seasons, and since by then, farmers would have got used to such hybrid seeds they will be forced to buy it," said sources.

On Monday, the umbrella organisation led a strong delegation that staged a protest outside the assembly. The protesters later handed over a memorandum to Gehlot. They demanded a ban on hybrid seeds by the government.

According to former finance minister Manikchand Surana, the agreement will eventually bleed the farmers. "Currently 70 % of the seed business in India is in the hands of the farmers. The entry of multi-nationals will snatch away the business from them. Moreover, we don't know how these seeds will adapt to the local climate," he said.