SAHIWAL: The Pakistan Kissan Ittehad demonstrated from Chichawatni to Sahiwal on Thursday and demanded financial compensation from federal and provincial governments and seed suppliers for their low-production of maize crop because of, what they alleged,`faulty` seeds provided by private seed suppliers.

The agriculture department, however, holds climate change responsible for low pollination of the crop.

They said the seed they cultivated was from the Federal Seed Certification Department. They threatened if not compensated, they would soon march on Islamabad. The demo ended with a sit-in at the deputy commissioner (DC) Office where they met DC Muhammad Zaman Watto. He said he would forward their case to the quarters concerned.

Protesters said it was the prime duty of the Federal Seed Certification Department (FSCD) and Federal Plat Protection Department to check the quality of importedhybrid seeds being sold by multinational companies to local growers. They it was unfortunate the maize crop was not pollinated despite the plant grew to its capacity which rendered a Rs45,000 to 50,000 per acre loss to farmers.

Dr Muhammad Aslem, deputy director of the agriculture (extension), told Dawn during current year maize crop was sowed at 125,000 acres in Sahiwal district.

Farmers said 80 percent of the maize crop did not bear fruit because of poor pollination.

Dr Abdul Hay, deputy FSCD director, told Dawn increase in local temperatures in August and September affected pollination. A corn farmers from village 12/11-L told Dawn why seed companies did not import weathertolerant maize seed. He said hybrid seed companies spent millions on research and development, so they should also investigate the Sahiwal case.

Muhammad Yousaf Bhatto, farmer from Chichawatni, demanded climate change factor be considered by seeds providers, and not by seed buyers. Farmers said they paid Rs7,000-8,000 for one acre seed.