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'GM crops most essential in India'

Cultivation of GM crops will help address food requirements: IIT scientist
Last Updated 20 December 2015, 17:57 IST
Genetically modified crops are inevitable for a country like India to meet the growing demand for food, said P Hariprasad, scientist, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), New Delhi, here on Sunday.

Delivering a lecture on ‘Impact of Genetically Modified Crops on Indian Agriculture Sector,’ at Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH), organised by Mysore Science Foundation as a part of ‘Interaction with Scientist’ programme, Hariprasad said many farmers in the country were unaware of the GM crops and their benefits. The farmers need to be educated on these crops to cultivate them to meet the growing need for food in the country. Farmers must get clarity on these crops before cultivating them, he suggested.

Hariprasad said that the world’s population was growing at a fast pace, with modern medicines ensuring longevity bringing down death rate. It is expected that the world’s population will be almost double in the next 50 years.

The greatest challenge before the country is to ensure food safety for the growing population. The land encroachment and real estate business are booming in the country, thus taking over agriculture lands. With this condition, it is difficult to ensure sufficient food for the people, he said.

Modern technology
He pointed out that utilising modern technology in agriculture sector could solve many problems in agrarian sector.

Stressing on medicinal quality in the GM crops, he  said, an insulin to treat a diabetic is produced out of GM bacteria. The GM crops are 50 per cent more disease resistant compared to local breeds and thus farmers can save money and also cultivate healthy crops.

Nearly 100 students from Devalapura School took part in the event. Scientist at Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH) Indresh presided over the event.

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(Published 20 December 2015, 17:56 IST)

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