N. Raghuraman's Column: Why Education is the 'Most Important Seed' of Any Career?

Nagesh was a lecturer at a local college. He was happy that he was getting a lot of respect from the students here compared to his family profession of farming. His family was completely dependent on farming and the family was confident that their one acre of land would always feed the family. Due to this family pressure, the 31-year-old lecturer decided to quit his job and take up farming on the family's land near Bengaluru. Hoping for a good crop of cucumbers, he approached Sri Gangadhareshwar Traders, who suggested him to take the seeds of Suvarna Hybrid Seeds Pvt. Ltd.'s F-1 hybrid 'Shanti Kukumbar'. Nagesh bought five packets of seeds for Rs 1750 on July 19, 2023, and sowed them on the same day. During this time, he also received two packets of 'Chitra Kukambar' of Iviz Seeds and he sowed them too. Nagesh spent around Rs 1.1 lakh on farming, including land preparation, fertiliser, labour, tractor rent, bedding, bamboo planting, irrigation material, fertilisers and pesticides. But the problem arose at the very beginning. Due to poor germination, the growth of 'Shanti Kukambar' plants stopped. This crop remained weak in color and size. When Nagesh objected, the dealer sent him to the manufacturer. Representatives of the company came to the farm, saw the crop, took photos and promised to forward the matter. Then another representative came along with another person, whom he was calling a scientist. He also assured that compensation will be considered. On November 9, 2023, a representative of the company offered Nagesh 50 packets of seeds worth Rs 15,000 as compensation. On the same day, Nagesh filed a written complaint with the Senior Assistant Director of the Horticulture Department, Bengaluru South. Then there was an official inspection of the farm. Under normal circumstances, the yield from this crop should have been around Rs 3.2 lakh. Since the losses were heavy, Nagesh filed a complaint with the Additional District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission- Bangalore City-2 on November 29, 2023, alleging faulty seeds and service defects. In its defence, the company said that the yield was low due to poor farming practices. Seed samples were not given for scientific examination and mere low yield does not prove to be bad seeds. The company said that the findings of the report also do not prove that the seeds were defective and the conclusion of the inspection conducted after 70 days is not reliable. But the commission relied on the report of the horticulture department. It was informed that both 'Shanti' and 'Chitra' varieties were grown under similar manure-irrigation conditions. 'Chitra' had good yield, while 'Shanti' variety had poor germination, irregular shape, dark colour and low yield. The commission conceded that the inspection was delayed, but evidence such as photographs and records support the farmer's claim. It also came to light that the company itself could not produce samples of the batch of seeds. On March 3, 2026, a bench of Chairman Vijaykumar M. Pavle and Member Anuradha V. held both the trader and the manufacturer guilty of deficiency in service. He was ordered to pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh, Rs 10,000 to compensate mental anguish and Rs 5,000 as litigation costs. When Nagesh felt injustice, he was able to take Rs 2.2 lakh in return for his estimated loss of Rs 3.2 lakh because he was educated and knew where to go at such a time. The trick is that even if you choose trade, farming, plumbing or any profession, at least educate yourself enough to defend yourself if you are wronged. Education is truly the 'most important seed' of every career.