Buzzbytes Hajin, February 7, 2024 (Buzzbytes ): Farmers in Lower Block Hajin have raised concerns over alleged exclusion in the sale of vegetable seedlings by the Agriculture Department, demanding transparency and fair distribution practices.Locals have expressed frustration, stating that they are consistently overlooked during seedling sales, with no communication from the department regarding the sales. Altaf Ahmad, a farmer from the area, lamented the lack of information, noting that they only become aware of the sales after they have ended.Adding to the controversy, another farmer accused the department of clandestine favoritism, alleging that only farmers from the upper block, nearby residents, and close relatives of department employees are informed secretly to acquire seedlings from the kitchen garden in Sumbal.The residents are calling for inclusive information dissemination to enable widespread participation in seedling cultivation. They hope that the agriculture department will share information well in advance during the sale of vegetable seedlings like tomato, chillies, capsicum, and brinjal to farmers in the Sonawari belt and adjacent areas.Expressing their dismay, residents collectively call upon the director of agriculture to personally investigate the matter and ensure fair and equitable distribution of vegetable seedlings to farmers in Lower Block Hajin.Responding to the concerns, Javid Iqbal, Chief Agriculture Officer Bandipora, stated that some open-pollinated certified seeds are being sold at their PP stores. However, due to limited supplies, they were unable to meet demands. He mentioned that all seed availability has now beenn privatized, with seeds being kept at registered seed shops.The farmers’ demand for transparency and equitable access to vegetable seedlings underscores the importance of fair agricultural practices in ensuring the livelihoods of local farmers in the region.
Farmers in Lower Block Hajin Demand Transparency in Vegetable Seedling Sales by Agriculture Department
