FIR filed against seed company for causing farmer losses; Centre orders compensation

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Ziraat Times
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Ziraat Times News Desk 

New Delhi, April 17: In a first such instance of swift central intervention in a seed quality dispute, an FIR has been registered against a private seed company following complaints of crop losses by farmers in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar and Khargone districts.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan took immediate cognisance of the issue after affected farmers met him in New Delhi, directing officials to ensure compensation for losses and initiate strict legal action against those responsible.

FIR Registered, Probe Underway

Acting on the minister’s directions, an FIR (No. 266) was registered at Manawar police station in Dhar district against Nunhems India Private Limited. The case has been filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, and the Seeds Act, 1966.

Officials said an investigation has been launched to determine accountability in the alleged supply of substandard seeds and saplings.

According to farmers’ complaints, seeds and planting material purchased in November 2025 failed to yield expected results. The bitter gourd crop reportedly produced undersized fruits that turned yellow and fell prematurely, leading to significant financial losses.

A complaint was formally lodged on February 17, 2026, following which agricultural scientists and departmental officials conducted an inquiry. Preliminary findings indicated that substandard seeds—and saplings derived from them—may have been sold as certified material.

Compensation, Ban on Seed Variety Ordered

The Union Minister described the issue as a serious attack on farmers’ livelihoods and directed that affected cultivators be provided adequate compensation without delay.

Authorities have also been instructed to impose a ban on the bitter gourd seed variety “Rubasta,” which has been linked to the reported crop failure, to prevent further losses.

Chouhan подчеркнул that the matter goes beyond crop damage, calling it a breach of farmers’ trust and investment. He reiterated a zero-tolerance approach toward negligence or fraud in the supply of agricultural inputs, stating that “those who cheat farmers will not be spared.”

Officials said the case is being treated with urgency, with parallel action underway to ensure relief for farmers and legal accountability for the accused company.

The development is being seen as a strong signal of the government’s intent to tighten oversight of the agricultural input supply chain and address farmer grievances through time-bound action.

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