In Guntur, the agriculture department has intensified its vigilance against the sale of counterfeit fertilisers and substandard seeds. Despite efforts during the recent Rabi season, where officials conducted inspections and seized unauthorized fertilisers and seeds worth crores, many farmers suffered losses due to purchasing fake fertilisers and low-quality seeds at inflated prices.
Union Minister Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar highlighted this issue during a recent review meeting on agriculture and related departments. In response, the agriculture and vigilance departments have increased scrutiny and carried out inspections. 
In a recent operation, joint teams from the agriculture, vigilance, and enforcement departments inspected six farm input shops. They seized 10.31 quintals of mirchi and cotton seeds valued at Rs 28.31 lakh. Samples of these seized seeds have been sent to laboratories for quality testing. 
To address public concerns, a toll-free number has been established for reporting issues related to agriculture products. Nunna Venkateswarulu, the agriculture officer of Guntur, emphasized that shops must display prices of products, and strict action will be taken against those charging prices exceeding the Maximum Retail Price (MRP).
Officials are also addressing concerns about bulk storage of seeds and fertilisers, which can create artificial scarcity and lead to price hikes. This situation often compels farmers to purchase cheaper inputs of inferior quality, increasing their susceptibility to pests, viruses, and bacteria, thereby reducing yields.
To combat these challenges, vendors are now required to submit sales details and obtain prior permission from agriculture officials before selling cotton and mirchi crop seeds. Non-compliance will result in heavy fines, legal actions, and potential criminal charges.
Furthermore, awareness programs are being conducted to educate farmers about essential parameters to consider when purchasing farm inputs. These initiatives aim to protect farmers from falling victim to unscrupulous vendors and ensure the quality and efficacy of agricultural inputs in Guntur district.