Farmer in Washin Demands Compensation After Receiving Inferior Lemon Plants from Government Agriculture Center
Kupata, Washim, Maharashtra – Vijay Deshmukh, a farmer from Kupata in Manora taluka of Washim district, is facing significant financial losses after discovering that the lemon plants he purchased from a government-run Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) were of inferior quality. Deshmukh, who cultivated the plants on his two-acre farm, claims he was misled by the KVK, leading to a complete failure of his lemon orchard.
Deshmukh had invested ₹5-6 lakh over the past five years to cultivate what he believed were high-quality lemon plants. However, instead of yielding lemons, the plants produced wild lemons (Idi lemons), which are of no commercial value. “I was promised a yield of up to one quintal per tree, but after five years of hard work and investment, I have not earned a single rupee from these plants,” said a visibly distressed Deshmukh.
The farmer first noticed the issue when the plants bore fruit this year. Suspecting something was wrong, he took samples to agricultural experts, including Dr. Ingale from Mangrulpir, who confirmed that the plants were not the high-quality lemon variety he had been promised. Deshmukh then approached the KVK in Karda, where he had purchased the saplings, to file a complaint.
Despite multiple follow-ups with the agriculture department, tehsil office, and district collector, no action has been taken to address his grievance. “I have been running from pillar to post, but no one is taking responsibility for this fraud. The KVK, which is supposed to support farmers, has cheated me,” Deshmukh said.
Deshmukh estimates that each lemon tree could have generated an income of ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 over ten years. With 385 plants, his total expected earnings would have been substantial. However, the failure of the plants to produce marketable lemons has left him in financial distress.
The incident has sparked outrage among local farmers, who are demanding stricter accountability from government agricultural centers. “This is not just a case of financial loss; it’s a betrayal of trust. Farmers rely on these centers for guidance and quality inputs. Such negligence is unacceptable,” said a local farmers’ representative.
Deshmukh is now demanding compensation for his losses, including the cost of cultivation and the expected income from the lemon orchard. “I have lost five years of hard work and investment. The government must compensate me for this fraud,” he said.
As the case gains attention, it highlights the vulnerabilities faced by farmers and the urgent need for better oversight and accountability in agricultural support systems.
– Vidarbha News Desk
28th February 2025
