Scientists begin batting for GM crops in India

They claim that technology will help farmers grow more

In a never seen before strategy, scientists in government-funded research institutions have come out in the open in support of contentious genetically modified (GM) crop technology, which they claim will help farmers grow more and conserve precious natural resources.

Earlier this week, more than 40 senior scientists and technocrats from the  Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) department of biotechnology and the Ministry of Environment and Forest participated in an unique meeting on the cultivation of GM crops in India. The outcome was an assertion from the scientific community that GM technology will help farmers to produce more and conserve their valuable natural resources and it is sustainable in the truest sense.

Even though Bt cotton is the only GM crop cultivated in India, several genetically engineered crops including GM rice and GM maize are under various stages of research and development.

“Bt cotton technology should be an eye opener for all stakeholders to move forward as there is a need to produce more food in limited soil and water resources for the burgeoning population expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2025,” the scientists said in a statement. Though many participants are involved in development of GM crops, they did not declare any “conflict of interest” in the statement. The scientists were encouraged to air their views.

The discussion at ICAR took place days after the Supreme Court appointed Technical Expert Committee suggested a moratorium on field trials of GM crops for 10 years, which can be utilised to put a credible regulatory system in place. The period could be used to evaluate food and environment safety of all GM crops. In August, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture too made a similar demand for a 10 year moratorium to ensure that  “all regulatory and surveillance mechanisms” are in place.

However, earlier this month the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Prime Minister, headed by eminent scientist C N R Rao, favoured introduction of GM crops because of the technology’s potential to transform Indian agriculture. The SAC-PM as well as ICAR-DBT scientists underscored the need to improve the regulatory structure, which has several loopholes at the moment.

Several biotechnology industry-backed organisations have joined the ongoing tussle between pro and anti-GM lobby groups. With the battle lines clearly marked, they have undertaken high-pitched advocacy campaigns to counter equally shrill propaganda from the anti-GM establishment.

A motley group of independent scholars, mostly consisting of economists and social scientists, issued a statement last week supporting the technology.