Buxar Farmers Confront Critical Seed Shortage Amid Garma Crop Season
In Buxar district, the harvesting of Rabi crops has nearly concluded, leaving farmers eager to utilize their now-vacant fields. Their focus has shifted to sowing garma crops, which include moong (green gram), urad (black gram), and hybrid maize. These crops are highly valued not only for providing an additional harvest but also for enhancing soil fertility when employed as green manure, making them a sustainable agricultural practice.
Government Subsidy Delay Disrupts Farming Plans
However, this year, farmers' agricultural strategies are encountering a significant obstacle. The optimal sowing period for these crops is swiftly passing, yet the subsidized seeds promised by the state government have failed to reach the district. Consequently, farmers are being compelled to purchase seeds from the open market at substantially higher prices, escalating their cultivation costs and financial burden.
According to sources within the district agriculture department, a total of 6,894 farmers have submitted online applications for garma crop seeds. The department had established an ambitious distribution target, aiming to provide:
- 60 quintals of hybrid maize seeds
- 185 quintals of urad seeds
- 640 quintals of moong seeds
at subsidized rates to support local agriculture. Despite these plans, no seeds have been made available in the district to date. This prolonged delay is sparking widespread concern among agricultural communities, with fears mounting over potential reductions in crop production due to missed sowing timelines.
Farmers Voice Frustration Over Increased Expenses
Farmers in the region have expressed their frustration, noting that they have been patiently awaiting the subsidized seeds, but the district has yet to receive any supply. Many have already resorted to buying seeds from the market at premium rates, which has significantly inflated their cultivation expenses. They firmly believe that timely distribution of the subsidized seeds would have not only reduced costs but also improved overall yield outcomes.
Dharmendra Kumar, the District Agriculture Officer, addressed the situation, stating that the process of procuring and supplying the seeds is currently underway. He confirmed that the seeds have not arrived in the district yet but assured that distribution will commence immediately upon their availability.
Expert Warns of Yield Reduction Due to Sowing Delay
Ramkewal, a plant protection specialist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, highlighted the critical nature of the sowing timeline. He explained that the ideal period for planting garma crops is February and March, with a strict deadline extending into the first week of April. Any delay beyond this window can lead to a substantial decline in yield, particularly for crops like moong and urad. High temperatures during the flowering phase can adversely affect pod formation, further compromising crop productivity.
This delay in seed distribution not only impacts immediate harvests but also poses long-term risks to soil health and agricultural sustainability in the region. Farmers are now caught in a dilemma, balancing the need to sow on time against the rising costs of market-purchased seeds.
