Farmers See Red as 'Spurious' Seeds Fail to Germinate

FARMERS of Rajkanika block are up in arms against the Agriculture department, accusing it of supplying them spurious paddy seeds in May.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @ Kendrapara

They alleged that despite sowing the seeds in time, the plants failed to flower by July, a stage normally reached within 20 to 25 days of germination. With their hopes dashed, many farmers are now warning of a looming food crisis due to the barren seeds.

"I wasted my strength and money on my land because of the spurious seeds. I sowed the seeds supplied by the Agriculture department. Nothing came out of it," said Kangali Rout of Dasabhagaria village.