Govt Cautions Farmers On 'Mystery Seed' Parcels From Unknown Sources

Bhubaneswar: At a time when the world is reeling under Covid-19 pandemic, suspicious seed parcels of suspected Chinese origin has sent the alarm bells ringing across the globe.

Following the Centre’s directive to the state governments, seed industry and research bodies on the suspicious/unsolicited seed parcels, the Odisha State Seeds Corporation (OSSC) has cautioned farmers on use such seeds.

“It has come to the notice of Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare that threat of unsolicited/suspicious seed parcels with mislabelled packages from unknown sources was reported in many countries like US, Canada, UK, New Zealand, Japan and some European nations,” the Ministry of Agriculture and farmer welfare said in a statement.

Termed as brushing scam and agriculture smuggling by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the unsolicited/suspicious seed parcels with mislabelled packages from unknown sources may pose a serious threat to the biodiversity, the department said.

“We have advised farmers not to use seeds which are not examined by any certification agency of the government. They have been asked to immediately inform the nearest agriculture department officer and district administration if any dealer or organisation supplies such seeds,” said Iswar Chandra Panigrahi, chairman of Odisha State Seeds Corporation.

The USDA has reported that the unsolicited seed parcels may contain seeds of invasive species or an attempt to introduce pathogens or disease that may pose food serious threat to the environment, agriculture ecosystem and national security.

“It is difficult to keep a track as to when and how the seeds reach the farmers and affect our biodiversity. Despite the challenge, widespread awareness should be created among farmers so that they save themselves from such a threat,” said a farmers’ leader Saroj.

“The unsolicited seed parcels can be threat to bio-diversity of our country; therefore all States Department of Agriculture, State Agriculture Universities, Seed Associations, State Seed Certification Agencies, Seed Corporations, ICAR vis-a-vis their crop-based research Institutes are directed to be vigilant about the suspicious seed parcels,” the department added.

Meanwhile, Odisha University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) has issued an alert in this regard.

“All the research units of our university have been warned through a letter not to receive if any such spurious seeds come in a parcel,” said Tapas Kumar Mishra, a professor of OUAT.

(Edited By Suryakant Jena)

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