On February 17, the Punjab Agriculture Department launched action against the promotion and sale of unapproved seed varieties on social media platforms, specifically targeting cotton, rice, and other crops.

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.

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.

The spokesperson reiterated the department’s dedication to protecting farmers’ interests by ensuring only approved, high-quality seed varieties are used.