New Delhi: As the Supreme Court begins hearing the petitions related to introducing a stringent and transparent bio-safety test protocol for genetically modified crops, the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) has expressed optimism about emergence of a holistic picture that recognizes the significant role of technology in increasing agricultural production, solid scientific evidence, India’s robust regulatory systems, and the nation’s long-term interests.
In his comments, industry veteran, Ram Kaundinya, Advisor, Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) stated: “It is essential that the country’s aspirations in terms of reducing the huge edible oil imports, saving huge foreign exchange, boosting productivity and farmers’ incomes are given due importance as discussions progress. Hence, we are hopeful that the cultural, social and nutritional importance of mustard for India are recognized while deliberating the issue holistically.”
“We also reiterate that the regulatory process adopted for scrutinizing GM crops in India including the biosafety protocols adhered to by GEAC and RCGM for GM approvals, are not only robust but align with globally accepted and benchmarked standards,” added Kaundinya.
“Innovations including GM, hold great potential to make crops resistant to pests and diseases, enhance climate resilience, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices. Thus, India needs to be open to exploring such innovative technologies to transform its agrarian sector, which forms the basis of livelihoods of nearly two-third of the population.”
“We at FSII, continue to closely watch the developments in this regard. We hope that science will prevail and ultimately, farmers will be able to access and benefit from scientific and technological innovations in future,” concluded Kaundinya.
India has a regulatory framework in place for the approval and cultivation of GM crops. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is responsible for evaluating and approving such crops. However, the GEAC has come under heavy criticism from the Supreme Court for not considering the reports of the court-appointed Technical Experts Committee (TEC) on the biosafety of GM crops.
The cultivation of GM crops in India has mainly focused on cotton and a limited cultivation of Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) brinjal. Bt cotton, genetically modified to express a toxin from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, was the first GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India. It was introduced in 2002, and by the mid-2000s, it gained widespread adoption among cotton farmers due to its effectiveness against certain pests.
Bt brinjal, genetically modified to resist certain pests, was approved for commercial cultivation in India in 2009. However, its release was met with significant opposition from various groups, including environmentalists, farmers, and activists. Due to the controversy, the commercial cultivation of Bt brinjal has been limited.
Those opposing GM crops say that Bt cotton has led to issues such as the development of resistance in pests, non-target effects on beneficial insects, and concerns about the impact on biodiversity.
On the other hand, those opposing GM crops are of the opinion that Bt cotton has contributed to increased yields and reduced the need for chemical pesticides, resulting in economic benefits for cotton farmers.
The public perception of GM crops varies. While some see them as a solution to agricultural challenges, others express concerns about the long-term impacts on health, the environment, and traditional farming practices.
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