Recently beverage giant Pepsico sued four potato farmers in Gujarat for buying seeds and selling potato of the FL 2027 variety, also known as FC-5. However, now according to Business Standard reports both the parties can go for out of court settlement.
On Friday, during a hearing at the commercial court in Ahmedabad, the legal counsel representing PepsiCo suggested a possibility of out-of-court settlement. The counsel told judge M C Tyagi that PepsiCo could withdraw the case if the farmers were willing to sign an agreement for buying the registered variety of FC-5 potato seeds and selling the produce to the company only.
The settlement will take place after four farmers agree to in future they will not buy and sow the said registered variety of FC-5 potato seeds. In the meantime, the legal counsel representing the farmer sought time till June 12 for filing written submissions based on the allegations made by PepsiCo. PepsiCo’s legal counsel too sought time till June 12 for filing rejoinders to the farmers’ submissions.
In the interim, the court’s previous order of a stay on the farmers from growing and selling the potatoes continues till the next hearing on June 12.
Earlier, PepsiCo had stated that it took the judicial recourse against people who were “illegally dealing in our registered variety”.
“This was done to protect our rights and safeguard the larger interest of farmers that are engaged with us and who are using and benefitting from seeds of our registered variety. We remain committed to resolving the matter and ensuring adoption of best farming practices resulting in higher yield and quality,” a PepsiCo India spokesperson had said.