Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan made an unannounced visit to soybean fields in Chirakheda village of Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday after receiving complaints from farmers that their entire crop had been destroyed due to the use of a herbicide.

During his inspection, Mr. Chouhan found that the soybean crop was completely damaged and the fields were overrun with weeds. Farmers alleged that a chemical supplied by a private company caused the devastation.

“This is not a problem affecting just one farmer. Several farmers have suffered similar damage. A farmer’s crop is his life — if it is destroyed, his life is destroyed. Farmers will definitely get relief, and the company will be held accountable,” Chouhan said while addressing the farmers and officials present.

The Minister announced that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has formed a high-level scientific committee to investigate the matter. The probe will be headed by Dr. J.S. Mishra, Director of the Directorate of Weed Research (DWR), Jabalpur, along with Dr. S.R.K. Singh, Director of ATARI Zone 9, and senior officials from the Agriculture Departments of Raisen and Vidisha districts. The committee will visit the affected fields on August 18.

Rejecting an earlier report by scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Raisen, Mr. Chouhan called it inaccurate and assured that the new committee would conduct a detailed inquiry. “Strict action will be taken against the company if found guilty,” he said.

The Minister also declared that the Centre will launch a nationwide crackdown on companies selling spurious pesticides, seeds, and fertilizers, which, he emphasized, “cheat farmers and put their livelihoods at risk.”