As the cultivation season has now begun in the Nilgiris district, seeds of hill vegetable crops required by farmers must not be sold at excessive prices, according to a warning issued by the Deputy Director of Seed Inspection (In-charge), Coimbatore.

“With the cultivation season under way in the Nilgiris, farmers are actively engaged in growing hill vegetable crops such as carrot, beetroot, potato, and others. Farmers procure the certified seeds required for these crops from private seed dealers and retail outlets,” a press release from the office of the Deputy Director of Seed Inspection said.

They said that seed dealers must sell only seeds that are of good quality and at the time of sale, must issue sales receipts to farmers. Seeds must be sold with a valid seed sale licence while farmers have also been advised to purchase seeds only from licensed seed shops.

“If anyone is found hoarding seeds to create an artificial shortage (increase demand) and selling them at inflated prices, legal action will be taken under the Seeds Control Order, 1983, through the appropriate judicial process. Therefore, during the current cultivation season, all licensed seed dealers are instructed to sell only quality seeds to farmers in accordance with the provisions of the Seeds Act, 1966and related rules,” the press release added.