Mahyco denies it sold its seeds in black market

Seed producer Mahyco has refuted allegations, levelled against it by the Maharashtra Government, of selling its own cotton seeds in the black market and violating the Seed Act.

In Beed district, the State Government has filed a first information report against Mahyco officials for selling the popular ‘Mahyco 7341 Kanak Bt cotton seeds’ in the black market. The firm has also been accused of violating the Seed Act.

Protecting the brand

Mr Raju Barwale, Managing Director of Mahyco, told

Business Line that the company has regularly communicated the stock availability to the State Agriculture Department, disproving allegations of unfair practices. He said that for the current planting season, the company had submitted a supply plan of providing 6.5 lakh Bt cotton seed packets (450 g) to the Government. Against this, the company has provided 8.6 lakh packets.

“We don’t believe in a legal solution and want to collaborate with the State Government in resolving this issue. However, if that does not work, then we will consider taking the legal option. It is our last resort,” Mr Barwale said.

Mr Barwale said that profiteering on seeds was possible by agriculture input dealers, on which the company has no control. It is physically not possible to keep a check on all the dealers. In a few instances, where the company has found that the dealers are indulging in unfair practices, it has terminated their dealership.

“If we wanted to black-market our products, then we would have done it across the board and not just Bt cotton seeds,” Mr Barwale said.

>rahul.wadke@thehindu.co.in