Bara/Parasi: Thousands of farmers, the victims of non-yielding hybrid maize seeds, today took to the streets carrying the maize cobs having no corns. Saying that their investment has gone waste, the farmers are seeking compensation from the government.

The maize plantations in most of the VDCs in Bara did not yield any corn though the plants have enough cobs. The farmers had taken

loan for the plantations and the government’s indifference has forced them to take to the streets.

The farmers locked the District Agriculture Development Office, Bara, for an hour today. Led by Rasul Ansari, central chairman, Farmers’ Rights Struggle Committee, they also obstructed traffic at Kalaiya-Birgunj road section for half-an-hour.

Ansari said if the demands of the farmers were not addressed by tomorrow, they will padlock the office for an indefinite period. He said they wanted the government to provide compensation for the loss, to provide loan at minimum interest rate, to ensure subsidy on diesel and agricultural tools, to import hybrid seeds only after proper quality check and ensure proper market for the agricultural products.

Expressing solidarity with the farmers, several political parties, civil society and businessmen have urged the government to address the demands of the farmers.

Meanwhile, Gaurishwor Kandel, proprietor, Gaidakot Agro-vet, is worried whether the farmers who bought seeds worth Rs 11 lakhs from his store will pay or not. He said, “The farmers took the seeds on credit promising they would pay me after selling their produce. Now they say they are unable to return the amount.” He added, “The seeds company did not supply seeds on credit to me.”

Kandel said he had sold the seeds that cost Rs 120 -280 per kg. He added, “The company claims that the problem of no-yield is not because of the quality of the seeds but because of the effect of climate change.” Saying he had bought the seeds after taking loan, he lamented, “Where shall I seek compensation from?”

According to Nawalparasi DADO, maize plantation in Gaidakot had yielded only cobs but no corn. The plantation in the district is spread over 500 bighas of land.