Be cautious when promoting "high yield and guaranteed income" agricultural supplies

This article is reprinted from China Consumer News

Author: Zhang Wenzhang

Fuzhou News from our newspaper (Reporter Zhang Wenzhang): Recently, the Fujian Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Committee, in conjunction with the Fujian Supply and Marketing Cooperative, issued consumer tips regarding common agricultural input consumption risks, reminding consumers to be cautious of “high-yield guaranteed” promotions and to beware of free trial sales tactics.

When consumers purchase agricultural inputs, they should prioritize stores or dealers with legitimate business qualifications (such as business licenses or agricultural input operation permits), and avoid buying from mobile vendors or unlicensed merchants. Be alert to obvious low-price traps below market prices, as such products may have quality issues or be “three-no” products (no production date, no quality certificate, no manufacturer). Carefully check whether the product packaging is intact, whether the labels clearly indicate the product name, specifications, production date, shelf life, standards followed, and manufacturer information. For seeds, verify the variety approval number; for pesticides, confirm the registration certificate number, ensuring sources are reliable and information is transparent.

Consumers should select appropriate varieties and specifications of agricultural inputs based on soil conditions, climate characteristics, and crop types, avoiding blind followings or overly trusting exaggerated promotions. When purchasing, be sure to request invoices, receipts, and other proof of purchase, and ask the seller to specify key information such as product name, quantity, and price. It is recommended to keep a small sample of the agricultural input (such as seed packaging or fertilizer bags), which can serve as direct evidence for testing or complaints if quality issues arise.

Consumers should maintain a rational judgment regarding exaggerated claims like “cure all diseases” or “high-yield guaranteed,” and not believe oral promises or “expert” recommendations, to avoid being misled by false advertising. They can verify the registration information of agricultural inputs through official channels such as the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Department website or the National Agricultural Plant Protection Information Network to confirm legality and suitability. Be cautious of sales tactics claiming free trials, as some vendors may use this as a pretext for subsequent charges or evasion of responsibility.

Consumers must strictly follow the instructions for use, paying attention to dosage, safety intervals, and contraindications, to prevent damage caused by improper use, such as phytotoxicity, fertilizer injury, or environmental pollution. When using pesticides or fertilizers, always wear protective gear such as masks and gloves to reduce the risk of skin contact or inhalation of harmful substances. Store agricultural inputs strictly according to the instructions to ensure safe storage.

If crop abnormalities, yield reduction, or even death occur after using agricultural inputs, stop use immediately and keep evidence, and promptly report to the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Department or relevant regulatory agencies. Additionally, if illegal activities such as manufacturing and selling counterfeit or inferior agricultural inputs or unlicensed operations are discovered, they can be reported by calling 12315 (Market Supervision) or 12316 (Agricultural Services).