Farmers gathered from across the country under the banner of “Coalition for a GM-Free India” opposed the government’s decision to allow field trials of Bt brinjal in the country,  terming that it would not only harm humans and livestocks, but also spoil fertility of soil and environment.

Addressing the gathering, senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi said that  genetically modified  crops are yet another attempt by corporates to take over Indian agriculture. Member secretary of the Coalition, Kavitha Kuruganti expressed similar views.

Consumer’s choice

On Bt brinjal, many representatives of farmers pointed out that the entry of such vegetable in India would put an end to the consumers’ choice of differentiating between the normal and genetically modified brinjal, as there is lack of segregation and labelling facility in India.

They said the government should take a cue from the adverse impacts of Bt cotton cultivation before allowing any field trials.

“Farmers who even touched the crop developed allergy while animals grazing on it died. The fate would be similar in the case of any other GM crop and food,” they said, adding that studies on GM food have found various adverse health results like stunted growth, impaired immune systems, bleeding stomach and reduced digestive enzymes among humans.

Support

Cine stars Nafisa Ali, Nandita Das and Milind Soman, noted dancer Sonal Mansingh and others have extended their support to farmer’s agitation.

But, corporate sectors have welcomed the government’s decision to allow field trials of Bt brinjal.

Indian Council of Agriculture Research Director General Mangal Rai defended the Government’s decision, terming that  genetically modified  food was very much required to meet the food shortage in the country.