Sindh launches crackdown against fraudulent agricultural companies

Minister says Centre ignoring firms selling sub-standard seeds, pesticides

KARACHI: The Sindh government decided on Friday to take action against fraudulent companies selling fake pesticides and low-quality seeds.

Sindh Agriculture Minister headed a meeting at Sindh Secretariat Building. Agriculture Secretary Agha Zaheer, Agriculture DG and officials from all districts attended the meeting.

Speaking to the media, Rahoo said that the Centre was not taking any action against companies selling substandard seeds in Sindh despite several letters sent in this regard. He said that the federal government should take action against these companies.

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According to him, the provincial government has taken action against over 100 such companies. However, complaints of fake chemicals and seeds are still being received, he said.

Farmers of Sindh depend only on their crops, observed Rahoo. “The province has the authority to take action against fraudulent companies after the 18th Amendment.

However, the federal government is interfering,” he claimed while adding that data of the places where crops have been affected are being collected and financial assistance will be given to affected farmers.

He said that locusts have affected crops spread across nearly 1,200 acres in Ghotki and in some areas in Thar.

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According to the minister, pesticides have been sprayed to control the locust infestation. Both the provincial and federal governments are working together in this regard, said Rahoo, adding that locusts will be eliminated from Sindh by the end of this month.

Briefing the meeting, officials said that fake agricultural pesticides, seeds and fertilisers are imported from Pakistan’s neighbouring countries.

They added that some of the companies are registered with the federal government but the Centre is not taking action against them.