On February 17, the Punjab Agriculture Department launched a crackdown on the promotion and sale of unapproved seed varieties on social media platforms, specifically targeting cotton, rice, and other crops. This action follows the detection of increased online advertisements selling these illegal seeds, which pose significant risks to crop productivity and farm incomes.

A department spokesperson detailed that advertising and selling unapproved crop varieties are illegal activities that could severely impact the per-acre yield and overall crop productivity. The misleading promotions on social media platforms are deceiving farmers, leading to potential financial losses due to reduced crop yields.

Authorities have warned that crops grown from these unapproved seeds may be destroyed as part of the enforcement measures. The department is committed to taking legal action against individuals marketing these seeds online under cyber laws. This includes the potential destruction of the misrepresented crops shown in promotional content across digital platforms.

The spokesperson reiterated the department’s dedication to protecting farmers’ interests by ensuring only approved, high-quality seed varieties are used. The aim is to maintain agricultural standards and prevent the cultivation of substandard crops that could negatively affect the province’s agricultural economy.