Hyderabad: In a sweeping crackdown across Khammam and Suryapet districts, authorities have seized nearly ₹70 lakh worth of fake cotton seeds within a week, unmasking a sprawling racket that has left Telangana’s farming community on edge.
The most significant bust occurred in Khammam’s Enkoor mandal, where a joint operation by the task force and agriculture department on May 28 uncovered 560 kilograms of spurious seed stock, valued at ₹14 lakh. Eleven suspects were taken into custody, including Gajula Narasimharao, Poleti Koteshwar Rao, and Venigandla Srinivasa Rao. Investigators said the counterfeit seeds had been transported in bulk from Andhra Pradesh’s Myalavaram, Bapatla, and Tenali regions.
In a parallel operation in Suryapet, police seized 308 kilograms of fake cotton seeds worth ₹4.62 lakh in Tirumalagiri mandal, arresting three accused. Additional seizures were made in Mothe and Athmakur (S) mandals, where authorities confiscated 22 quintals, around ₹65 lakh worth, of counterfeit seeds and booked six people.
The racket has shaken rural Telangana just as the sowing season kicks off. Unscrupulous dealers are flooding village markets with cheap, unapproved seeds, targeting cash-strapped farmers desperate for a break.
For farmers, falling for these scams is proving to be a disaster. One bad batch could wipe out an entire season’s hope.
Officials have issued a blunt warning: Buy from unlicensed sellers, and you’re on your own. No compensation, no legal safety net. Only seeds from government-approved sources come with that protection.
Authorities say they’re cracking down, promising stiff penalties for those caught peddling fake seeds. In the meantime, farmers are being urged to double-check before they buy—because one bad decision now could cost them their entire season.
మార్కెట్లో నకిలీ విత్తనాలతో రైతులు జాగ్రత్త వహించండి. తక్కువ ధరకు వస్తాయని అస్సలు విడి విత్తనాలు కొనవద్దు. కల్తీ విత్తనాలకు సంబంధించిన సమాచారం మీ దృష్టికి వస్తే తక్షణమే సంబంధిత అధికారులకు తెలియజేయండి. బాధ్యతగల పౌరులుగా వ్యవహరించండి.#telanganapolice pic.twitter.com/0LXdfXLgLa
— Telangana Police (@TelanganaCOPs) June 11, 2025
