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PAU
seeds selling in open market By
Surbhi Bhalla LUDHIANA
— A number of seed varieties developed by scientists of Punjab
Agricultural University here, are allegedly finding clandestine way
into open market. And not surprisingly, the same are not made
available to farmers in the university. Several
irregularities in the disposal and sale of seeds produced by the
scientists of the university have reportedly come to light. Several
farmers have brought the issue to the notice of the university
authorities. They alleged while the University was reportedly short
of the popular seeds of some varieties of crops these were available
in plenty at the private shops some of which are located close to
the university. For
instance, during the kisan mela which was held at the main varsity
campus in March this year some farmers, including members of Kisan
Club, complained to the authorities of the university that the seeds
of varieties of rice like PR-115, PR-116, which had been released by
the university for the first time, were not available in the stocks
of the university . They
also alleged in their complaint letter that the seeds of these
varieties were available in abundance at the private shops. While
the university had fixed the rate of the seeds of the two varieties
at Rs 40 per kg, the shops were selling the seeds at Rs 50 per kg.
The farmers wondered how seeds of the latest varieties had found
their way to the private business establishments . Source:
Tribune News Service Sept 19, 2000
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