Bangalore, June 3: Minister of State for Agriculture C Krishna Byregowda on Monday said the State had sufficient socks of seeds and fertilisers ahead of the sowing season and, the government would curb the sale of spurious fertilisers with an iron hand.
Speaking to reporters here after a review meeting, Byregowda said five persons had been arrested in Sakaleshapur taluk of Hassan district for selling spurious fertilisers.
Agriculture department officials have been directed to keep a strict vigil and immediately act on any complaints related to sale of spurious fertilisers, he said.
The minister pointed out that rains during the last 48 hours had covered 30 per cent of the state and it was the right time to start sowing activity.
While the demand for seeds in the State was 10.68 lakh quintal, the state had a stock of 11 lakh quintal. The anticipated demand for fertilisers was 24 lakh tonnes. More consignment of fertilisers would reach the State soon, he said.
Department officials had been instructed to give preference to small and medium farmers while distributing subsidised seeds.
The decision of the government to announce support price for groundnut and soya had been received well by the farmers, he added.
