Rajshahi, Jan 6 (V7N) - In Rajshahi’s Tanore upazila, potato farmers are reeling from massive losses after planting what they claim were fake potato seeds sold by a local trader. The incident has left many on the brink of financial ruin, sparking outrage and demands for justice.

Farmers have accused Nasir Uddin, a trader from Shukdevpur village, of deceiving them by selling low-quality potato seeds disguised as premium seeds from reputed companies. The complaints don’t end there—Nasir Uddin is also alleged to have sold substandard pesticides at inflated prices, a practice farmers say he’s been engaged in for nearly two decades.

For farmers like Ashraful Islam, the consequences have been devastating. After spending 3 lakh taka to cultivate potatoes on three and a half bighas of land, he discovered the seeds were faulty. The result? Stunted plants turning yellow, with roots rotting before they could yield any harvest.

Zaidur Rahman, another farmer, invested in seeds for seven bighas of land, only to face similar crop failure. “We trusted him, and now we’re ruined,” he said, echoing the sentiments of many others in the area.

The financial toll is staggering. Farmers estimate the cost of cultivating just one bigha of potatoes at 1 lakh taka, with major expenses including:

Ploughing and soil preparation: 30,000 taka

Seeds: 30,000 taka

Fertilizers and pesticides: 7,000-6,000 taka

Labor and irrigation: Additional thousands

With failed crops and mounting debts, many are struggling to see a way forward.

The Trader’s Defense

Nasir Uddin has denied the allegations, blaming poor crop yields on the farmers themselves. “The problem isn’t the seeds—it’s the lack of proper land care,” he stated. His claims have done little to pacify the anger in the farming community.

Farmers Demand Action

Frustrated and desperate, the farmers are calling for:

Immediate arrest of Nasir Uddin.

Harsh punishment for allegedly exploiting farmers.

Full compensation for their financial losses.

This controversy highlights broader issues in rural agriculture, including the lack of oversight in the seed and pesticide trade. As farmers demand accountability, their plight underscores the critical need for regulatory reform to protect the backbone of the country’s economy.

END/RAR/RH/