In a landmark decision underscoring the rights of farmers as consumers, the Malappuram District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Kerala has directed Chungathara Krishi Nursery and Garden Service to compensate a local farmer with ₹1 lakh. The compensation addresses the farmer’s losses after banana saplings supplied by the nursery failed to bear fruit as promised.
The farmer, hailing from Karimpanthottiyil in Wandoor, had leased land for cultivation and purchased 150 banana saplings, including the ‘Nendran’ variety, from the nursery for ₹3,425. He was assured that the plants would yield fruit within 10 months, aligning with the lucrative Onam festival season. However, not only did the plants fail to bear fruit on time, but many were also identified as a different variety, ‘Swarnamukhi’, contrary to the purchase agreement.(Consumer Court)
Upon filing a complaint, both the local agriculture officer and an advocate commissioner conducted inspections and submitted reports corroborating the farmer’s claims. Based on these findings, the Commission ordered the nursery to pay ₹1 lakh in compensation, refund the ₹3,425 cost of the saplings, reimburse ₹11,175 spent on fertilizers, and cover ₹10,000 in legal expenses. The Commission stipulated that if the payment is not made within a month, a 9% interest will be applied.(The Indian Express)
This case highlights the growing recognition of farmers’ rights under consumer protection laws. Similar instances have been reported across India:(The Hindu)
- In Karnataka, a farmer was awarded ₹2.25 lakh after substandard groundnut seeds purchased from a government outlet failed to sprout, leading to significant crop failure. (The Indian Express)
- In Haryana, farmers received compensation from IFFCO for defective guar seeds that resulted in poor yields, with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission enhancing the compensation upon appeal. (The Hindu)
These cases underscore the importance of accountability in the agricultural supply chain and the role of consumer courts in safeguarding farmers’ interests.
For more details on the Malappuram case, refer to the original article on Business Standard.
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farmer compensation, banana plants fail, Kerala consumer court, agriculture rights, nursery fraud, banana saplings case, Malappuram district court, farmer wins case, Nendran banana dispute, agricultural consumer protection, faulty plant compensation, banana crop failure, Indian farmer rights, farming legal case, consumer court India
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