KATHMANDU, Nov 1: The government has decided to compensate the farmers who planted Garima paddy seeds for the losses incurred.

State Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ram Kumari Chaudhary on Friday informed that the government is preparing to pay compensation to the farmers for low paddy yields due to unproductive Garima seeds. 

Addressing a meeting of Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources on Friday, Chaudhary said that the farmers will be compensated through the company which had imported and supplied the seeds to the farmers. "We have formed a committee in this connection to assess actual losses incurred by farmers which will submit its report within a month," she added. 

On the occasion, State Minister Chaudhary also informed that the government has initiated the process to amend the existing laws to bring the importing company and manufacturer to justice. 

Another speaker during the meeting, Chief at National Seeds Board Madan Thapa claimed that the seeds have been found to be not only substandard but also of another breed.

"Therefore, it is necessary to take stern action against the fraudulent companies,' argued Thapa. 

Members of the Committee, on the other hand, advised the government to supply seeds through its mechanism but not any private companies or persons. 

Haribol Gajurel, who was also the former Minister for Agriculture opined that the government should not deviate from fulfilling its responsibility in such a sensitive matter. 

The committee members demanded strict action against the companies for supplying substandard seeds. 

Sunrise Agriculture Research Center, a Dang-based company, had imported and sold the substandard seeds in the Nepali market. The seed is produced by Renova Seed Science India Pvt Ltd of Hyderabad, India.

According to the ministry, the company imported nine tons of paddy seeds from the Indian company this year alone. 

Garima seed has been planted mainly in Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, Bardiya, Kapilvastu, Tanahu and Chitwan.

 
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