September 2026 : Aam Aadmi Party state organisational secretary and Narmada district president Niranjan Vasava said that farmers in various talukas of Narmada district, including Garudeshwar and Tilakwada, sprayed a pesticide called Monocrotophos on their cotton crops.
He said that after the rains, farmers irrigated their fields and sprayed the pesticide. Initially, the cotton plants appeared healthy, but immediately after the pesticide was sprayed, the entire cotton crop was burnt and destroyed.
Vasava said that the cotton crop of one farmer spread over 12 acres was damaged, while several farmers across the district are reportedly facing a similar serious situation.
He alleged that under the rule of the “double-engine government” in Gujarat, fake products are now reportedly being found in several sectors, and claimed that even agricultural pesticides used by farmers are being supplied in a suspected fake or substandard form.
Farmers who depend primarily on the monsoon crop for their livelihood throughout the year invest heavily in seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural inputs. Vasava said that such farmers have suffered severe losses because of the suspected fake pesticides.
He further said that after the pesticide was sprayed, the new growth appearing on the cotton plants was abnormal, with single, thin and stiff leaves, resulting in the crop being completely damaged.
Demand for Immediate Survey and Compensation
Niranjan Vasava appealed to the Narmada district administration and officials of the Agriculture Department to immediately conduct a comprehensive survey of the affected areas on a war footing.
He demanded that the government provide appropriate compensation to farmers who have suffered losses.
Vasava also called for strict legal action against companies allegedly involved in manufacturing such suspected fake pesticides and against dealers who sold them to farmers.
He demanded that shops selling the suspected fake pesticides in Tilakwada, Garudeshwar and other talukas be sealed immediately.
He said strict action should be taken to set an example and ensure that no farmer is subjected to such alleged fraud in the future.
