Strange are the ways in which the Agriculture department functions

GUWAHAT: Strange are the ways in which the Agriculture department functions.

While the Director of Agriculture recently directed the Assam Seeds Corporation Limited (ASCL) to procure a particular variety of hybrid paddy seeds for the ongoing 'Kharif' or 'Sali' agricultural season, the fact remains that this variety of seeds is meant only for the 'Boro' season.

In Assam, geoclimatic variations and agriculture's dependence on rainfall have resulted in three distinct rice-growing seasons: Kharif or Sali or winter rice (June/July to November/December); Ahu or autumn rice (March/April to June/July); and Boro or summer rice (November/December to May/June).

The Director of Agriculture, Assam, Manoj Kumar in a letter (dated June 30, 2020) directed the Managing Director (MD) of ASCL to buy a specifically mentioned hybrid paddy seeds variety – 'NPH-924-1' for 2020-21 (Kharif). The order further mentioned that 1,128.60 quintals of this seed variety amounting to Rs 3,81,42,166 has to be purchased within July 22, 2020. The order also directed the ASCL MD "to deliver the seeds up to the ADO (Agricultural Development Officer) Circle level" within the above specified deadline.

When contacted, an ASCL official said, "We've followed the directions of the Agriculture Director, and also procured the specific seed variety through the tendering process." However, the official failed to give any answer as to why the seed variety meant only for the Boro season has been procured during the Sali season.

Official documents available with The Sentinel prove that the above mentioned hybrid paddy seeds variety 'NPH-924-1' is meant only for the 'Boro' agricultural season. This has been already notified by the 'Central Sub Committee on Crop Standards' during its 63rd meeting in Srinagar on June 28 and 29, 2012.

The minutes of that meeting provided the list of paddy varieties. On serial number 32 of its list, it is mentioned that 'NPH-924-1' is meant for "West Bengal and Assam under irrigated areas where Boro rice crop is grown".

This recommendation was also approved by the 'Committee for Selection of Rice & Maize Varieties/ Hybrids for Procurement by Government of Assam'. The panel was constituted by four top-level agricultural officials. In its meeting on August 8, 2017, the committee also mentioned this hybrid paddy seed in the first serial number under the heading "Rice hybrids for 'Boro' season".

Even the Hyderabad-based 'Nuziveedu Seeds (P) Ltd' (NSPL) — the company that deals with this hybrid rice variety — has said, "The hybrid was released for the Boro season through the Central Sub-committee on Crop Standards' Notification and Release of Varieties (CSCSNRV), Government of India, for the States of West Bengal and Assam."

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