First in India: Private seed firms compensate 671 Telangana farmers for crop losses; Rs 60,000 to Rs 1.25L per acre paid
This is the first time in Telangana-and possibly in India-that private seed firms have paid direct compensation to hundreds of affected farmers, following sustained pressure from govt officials and irrefutable video evidence collected from the fields.
The farmers, who suffered heavy losses over 1,500 acres, received cheques ranging from ₹60,000 to ₹1.25 lakh per acre, depending on the severity of damage and input costs.
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The crisis unfolded a few months ago across the mandals of Wajedu, Venkatapuram, Kannaigudem, and Tadwai in Mulugu district, where maize farmers reported abysmally low yields despite using genetically modified (GM) seeds provided by seed companies. These farmershad been assured yields of four tonnes per acre, but in reality, ended up harvesting barely one tonne or less.
The resulting losses triggered widespread protests, as farmers demanded accountability and compensation.
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Their voices gained traction when local officials launched an unusual and rigorous investigation by personally visiting every affected farmer, documenting their losses on video, and collecting testimonial evidence in the presence of company representatives.
"For four months, govt officials visited each farmer's home, and in the presence of representatives from seed companies, they recorded video evidence of the situation," said TS Divakara, district collector.
"After considerable effort, we were able to send notices to the companies demanding compensation, and ultimately, they complied," he told TOI. The compensation cheques were handed out at a public event in Mulugu, attended by agriculture minister Tummala Nageswara Rao and panchayat raj minister Seethakka .
This unprecedented compensation drive also brings into sharp focus the glaring gaps in India's seed regulation framework.
The Central Seed Act of 1966 (amended in 1972), which governs seed quality in India, imposes paltry penalties: ₹500 for a first offence, and ₹1,000 or six months of imprisonment for repeat violations.
"Farmers have no choice but to approach consumer courts, which can be a lengthy process," Divakara said. S Anvesh Reddy, chairman of the Telangana Seeds Development Corporation, said: "This is possibly the first instance in the country where hundreds of farmers simultaneously received compensation from seed companies."
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