The Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department has initiated an inquiry after a farmer from Gagsina village in the district alleged that a fungicide spray destroyed his wheat crop spread over 6 acres.
A team has been constituted to investigate the matter. The department will also get help from scientists of the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) along with collecting samples from the shop.
The team has assured the farmer that steps will be taken after the inquiry report is received.
Dr Wazir Singh, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA), said the team had visited the farmer’s field to review the damage and collect samples.
The inquiry was initiated after the farmer, Balkar, lodged a complaint with the department that he had bought “expired” fungicide from a pesticide dealer in the village and sprayed it on his crop nearly a month ago.
“The wheat stems have started turning black and the crop appears to be completely damaged,” he said while speaking to officials during the inspection. “I have taken the land on lease at around Rs 70,000 per acre. All my savings have gone. If the crop fails, it will be a huge loss for me,” he added.
Source - https://www.tribuneindia.com/
