The Hindu Business Line : Ensure quality, Andhra CM tells seed companies

DR Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, has warned seed companies against supplying substandard seeds that left farmers in the lurch.

"The right kind of seed is the very key for farming. We should ensure that farmers get good seeds," he said.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating a seed conditioning unit and Seed Bank of Nuziveedu Seeds Ltd here on Friday, the Chief Minister said the State Government had blacklisted Mayhco company for supplying poor quality seeds in Warangal districts.

"We have decided to promote companies that supply quality seeds," he said. Harping on the issue, he said his Government had set up seed testing laboratories in all the districts. "Our aim is to make quality seeds available to all the farmers," he said. He said the agricultural sector had suffered in the last one decade. "We have drawn a new course by giving emphasis to this sector. We have even influenced the national agenda in favour of this sector," he said.

"This credit goes to farmers and farm labourers in the State," he said.

The CM asked seed companies to spend part of their revenues on research and development. "Research leads to quality seeds. Agricultural productivity of China and India was at same levels some 20 years ago. But they have far surpassed us," the Chief Minister said.

Mr M. Prabhakar Rao, Managing Director of the company, said the seed facility could meet requirements of 30-40 lakh acres.

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated a seed-processing unit with a capacity of 1,20,000-1,50,000 quintals.

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