Relief for the farming community is not visible next year as the government has left them at the mercy of dealers of farm inputs. There is no check on seed dealers, who are selling inferior quality seeds at higher rates, though the dollar-rupee parity is stable.

The authorities can snatch grain from the homes of millions of growers if and when needed, but they cannot check a couple of thousands of seed and pesticide companies and dealers fleecing the farmers by providing poor quality products without any let or hindrance. It’s my compulsion to do farming as I have no other source of income. Otherwise, the profession is no longer profitable. — AM

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, December 30th, 2024