Inactive seed processing plant affecting ryots

The unit, with 15 tonnes per day capacity set up four years ago, functioned for just one year after which it has remained closed till date, according to Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam youth wing general secretary R Subash.

Farmers take the seeds after harvest to the processing center where after removal of impurities, it is processed and certified for sale by the government agricultural department.

“As there are only three seed processing units for the whole of integrated Vellore district, farmers are put to a lot of hardships as the two remaining units each of 3 tonnes capacity at Avarakarai near Wallajahpet and at Nemili (both in present Ranipet district) are not enough to handle the arriving seed loads,” Subash added.

“The problem can be understood from the fact that the two functional units have to process and certify seeds for all crops from farmers in current Vellore, Ranipet and Tirupattur districts,” he added.

“Accumulating seed loads in the two processing units has resulted in officials telling farmers not to bring fresh loads due to lack of space,” lamented a farmer.

“As it takes nearly 75 days for a farmer to get the government rate for seeds handed over, it results in certified seeds not being available to meet the demands of all district farmers,” Subash explained.

Asked if certified seeds were available from private players, farmers said yes, but added that buying government seeds enabled them to get a subsidy.

Top government officials said, “the unit was closed as there was a local dispute and also because it was next to a garbage dump. However, we have ordered the unit to become fully functional as former collector SA Raman had ensured an approach road to help its functioning.”