Ballari Rural police and officials of the Agricultural Department on Tuesday unearthed a racket selling substandard Bt cotton seeds and growth promoters.
Two persons have been arrested.
Based on a tip-off that substandard cotton seeds and growth promoters were being sold to farmers, the police team, led by Prasad Gokhle, Circle Inspector of Police and Hoskerappa, Police Sub-Inspector, along with Sharnappa Mudugal, Joint Director, Agriculture, raided a place in Guggarahatti on the outskirts of the city.
The team found that cotton seeds were being packed with three labels in packets for being sold as Bt cotton seeds. Similarly, growth promoter liquids, which had passed their expiry date, were being refilled with different labels.
The team seized 386 kg cotton seeds and growth promoter liquids valued at Rs. 7 lakhs and also labels branded as Deena, Best Cotton and Gokul Krishna from Anjaneya, and V. Krishna. Mr. Mudugal told The Hindu that the two accused, during preliminary inquiry, said that they had procured the seeds from Gajendragad in Gadag district and were selling them directly to farmers at cheaper rates. Similarly, they were selling the growth promoters liquids under the brand American Enzymes.
