A massive seed and fertiliser adulteration scam has been exposed in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district, with raids carried out at over 40 factories by state authorities. Investigations revealed a well-organised network mixing carcinogenic dyes into seeds and adulterating fertilisers with stone powder, sand, and dust to maximise profits at the expense of farmers’ health and crop yields.
The adulterated products were being sold across multiple states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. Officials, including Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena, have pledged strict action, while concerns about official complicity and regulatory oversight have also come to light.
Raid Details and Immediate Impact
Joint raids by the state’s Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Departments targeted factories in Jaipur’s VKI Area, Jhotwara, Kishangarh, and Sri Ganganagar.
Authorities found factories operating without proper licences, using unsafe storage methods, and mixing harmful chemicals—such as carcinogenic green dye on moong seeds and red dye on barley and guar seeds—to make seeds appear more appealing.
Fertiliser manufacturers were found using marble slurry, stone dust, soil, and dyes to imitate reputable brands like IFFCO, with over two lakh fake fertiliser bags supplied daily to farmers nationwide.
Satish Sharma, Joint Director of the Agriculture Department, stated, “We found colours being mixed in 3 to 4 factories, and we believe they pose a serious health risk.” Kirodi Lal Meena, who personally led several raids, said, “Seeds were being mixed with colour. It is carcinogenic and extremely harmful.
We will seal this factory.” In many factories, sacks of seeds were unlabelled, ungraded, and stored improperly, further increasing health risks.
Background and Wider Context
The crackdown is part of a broader campaign launched by Rajasthan’s agriculture department on May 15 to curb fake fertiliser sales and hoarding during the kharif season, which will continue until July 10.
Officials have been empowered to ban sales, seize products, and suspend or cancel licences under the Fertiliser (Control) Order 1985 and the Essential Commodities Act 1955. Investigations have raised concerns about delayed enforcement and possible complicity among local officials. Multiple FIRs have been registered, and factories found guilty have been sealed.
Expert Advice and Recommendations
Agricultural experts have urged farmers to be vigilant and purchase seeds and fertilisers only from government-approved outlets or trusted dealers.
Dr. Rajendra Singh, a leading agronomist, warned, “Consuming crops grown from adulterated seeds can have serious health implications, including increased risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Adulterated fertilisers also degrade soil quality over time, reducing crop yields and farmer incomes.”
Experts recommend that farmers check for certification marks, batch numbers, and proper packaging before buying agricultural inputs.
They also advise reporting any suspicious products to local agricultural offices or consumer forums immediately. “Community awareness and strict enforcement are key to preventing such scams in the future,” added Dr. Singh.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The Logical Indian stands with the affected farmers and consumers, calling for swift justice and systemic reforms to restore trust in agricultural inputs.
We believe in the power of dialogue, empathy, and transparency to address such exploitation. As a society, how can we strengthen oversight and ensure that those responsible for endangering public health are held accountable?
