'Substandard' aman seeds put farmers in trouble

Hundreds of farmers at different villages in Boda upazila of Panchagarh fell in a deep trouble allegedly after sowing substandard aman seeds and are worried that they might count huge loss in the current season.
They have already submitted written complaints to upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) and upazila agriculture officer to take steps against the trader who sold 'substandard' seeds to the local farmers.
According to the complaint, several hundred farmers of Sakoya, Panchpir and Chandanbari unions under the upazila bought aman seeds from 'Ma Biz Bhandar', a seed shop at Sakoya Bazar.
The farmers are now worried about aman production as the plants have started stemming at premature stage.
They said, earlier in aman planting season, they bought seeds from the shop and sown in their seed beds.
Later they planted the aman seedlings in their cropfields.
After 15/20 days of planting, seedlings grew into flowering plants instead of 50/60 days which made farmers doubtful of getting proper crop production.
The farmers blamed the seed trader for the situation accusing him of selling substandard aman seeds.
Upazila Agriculture Extension Officer Enamul Haque told this correspondent over cell phone that after receiving complaint he visited the cropfield.
"I have issued show cause letters to the three sub-assistant agriculture officers for not taking action against the trader after getting complaint from farmers. Necessary steps would be taken after getting the replies," Enamul Haque said.
Replying to a query, Enamul Haque said, the production would certainty be affected if early flowering started from the plants.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mamunur Rashid asked the officer concerned to submit a report after investigating the matter.
Contacted, owner of 'Ma Biz Bhandar', Joynal Abedin told this correspondent over cell phone that it was completely a conspiracy to tarnish the image of his business firm.
Replying to a query, he said, only three farmers brought such complaints to him and he had already given them compensation.