Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has instructed strict legal measures and prompt compensation following reports of crop damage due to inferior seeds in Madhya Pradesh. During a meeting with young farmers from Dhar and Khargone districts in New Delhi, the farmers highlighted significant losses in their bitter gourd harvest, attributing it to poor-quality seeds and saplings. Responding swiftly, Chouhan directed officials to ensure immediate compensation and take stringent action against those accountable for the distribution of substandard seeds.
In response to the farmers’ grievances, an FIR has been filed at Manawar Police Station in Dhar district against Nunhems India Private Limited, as per Chouhan’s office statement. The FIR, numbered 266, has been registered under applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Essential Commodities Act, and the Seeds Act, with investigations already underway. Farmers reported purchasing bitter gourd seeds and saplings in November 2025, leading to crop failure characterized by stunted growth, premature yellowing, and early fruit drop, resulting in substantial financial losses.
A complaint lodged on February 17, 2026, prompted a preliminary inquiry revealing evidence of substandard seeds being supplied as certified products, along with defective saplings. Emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards negligence in agricultural inputs, Chouhan reiterated the paramount importance of farmers’ welfare. He instructed officials to scrutinize the ‘Rubasta’ variety of bitter gourd seeds implicated in the case and to enforce rigorous monitoring of seed quality and distribution networks.
Authorities have commenced evaluating crop damages, while the police are actively investigating the company and its distribution channels in connection with the incident.
