Dhaka, June 14 -- Jute farmers across Kushtia are facing severe financial losses after sowing "adulterated and substandard" seeds supplied by the state-run Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation (BADC).

While farmers claim the seeds are completely non-viable, BADC authorities have dismissed the allegations as groundless.

Local growers and entrepreneurs allege that low-priced jute seeds imported from India, reportedly intended for hatchery feed, were first stored in warehouses and later repackaged for distribution through a network involving dishonest traders and BADC officials.

The allegations have raised questions over whether Tk 18 million allocated by the agriculture ministry for jute seed procurement under agricultural reh...