Farmers in Uttar Pradesh can soon bid farewell to spurious seeds, thanks to the mandatory Saathi portal rollout starting April. The government is enforcing full disclosure from seed vendors, creating a tamper-proof chain from farm to field.
This bold step addresses chronic issues of seed adulteration that wipe out harvests. Through Saathi—Seed Authentication, Traceability, and Holistic Inventory—every packet’s QR code reveals production details, certification, and traceability data, empowering farmers with verification power.
Intensive workshops at the Agriculture Directorate trained producers, FPOs, and firms, with central and Maharashtra delegations contributing expertise. Dr. Pankaj Tripathi launched the event, while trainers like Dr. Sonu Kumar Chaudhary and NIC’s Archana detailed operations.
Master trainers will now fan out to districts, upskilling retailers and wholesalers. Nearly 70% are onboarded; stragglers have a 15-day window, with district officers aiding compliance. Maharashtra’s success narrative, shared by Dr. Preeti Sawairam, illustrates tangible gains for growers.
Backed by the central ministry, this portal heralds an era of accountability in UP’s vast seed sector. By weeding out fakes, it promises resilient crops, cost savings, and sustained rural prosperity.