Samples of counterfeit fertilizers and pests by 46 companies had been dispatched to the markets. Such crises are a stark reminder of the deep-rooted challenges faced by the agricultural sector in Punjab. Regulatory and bureaucratic shortcomings have long plagued Punjab’s farmers leaving them vulnerable to deceitful actors marketing substandard agricultural inputs. Moving forward, the government must empower farmers with knowledge to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit fertilizers. We need sustained effort that focuses on a regulatory framework that seeks to identify the loopholes in the agricultural sector.

Source: The Nation May 09, 2024 01:38 UTC