While debate over Bt brinjal continues, in a recent seminar in Mumbai, experts suggested that genetically modified (GM) crops will solve the country's food problem. But, manyu00a0 believe that introduction of GM crops can have severe consequences

So what if commercial introduction of Bt brinjal in the country has been put under an indefinite moratorium, biotech companies are doing their best to dispel the 'myths' associated with Bt crops.


Activists stage a protest against the commercialisation of
genetically modified Bt Brinjal in Bangalore last year

A seminar organised by Association of Biotech-Led Enterprise Agriculture Group (ABLE-AG) in Mumbai recently at Hotel Intercontinental at Marine Drive, aimed at addressing various issues related to Genetically Modified (GM) crops. Industry experts and farmers emphasised the use of improved technology to increase the production of crops.
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"How else are we going to feed the population of our country in the future?" asked V Ram Kaundinya, Chairman, ABLE-AG. Accusing the anti Bt lobby of vested interests, Kaundiya said, "In Europe as well as in the US, Bt crops are being grown. Hence the anti Bt campaign propagated by interested parties is baseless."

Safe
Emphasising that Bt crops are safe for consumption, Professor C Kameswara Rao, eminent agri-biotech scientist explained during the seminar, "The Bt gene in cotton is pest resistant and that is the main purpose of Bt cotton.
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The bollworm (a pest which attacks certain crops especially cotton), cannot survive in Bt varieties. So, the purpose is specific."

When asked that many farmers have reported that fertility of the soil has been reduced due to Bt cotton, Rao explained, "Fertility of soil has been reduced, as farmers do not follow crop rotation methods anymore. It has nothing to do with Bt cotton," said Rao.

Political
On commercialisation of Bt brinjal, Rao said, "Bt brinjal is no more just a scientific issue. It has become a political issue now."

In fact, the controversial 2004 Seed Bill, which was to be tabled before the Parliament this session, aims to regulate the seed market. The bill, however has faced fierce opposition from various political parties. But, two farmers, who were also present during the event emphasised that biotechnology is the way forward.


Former Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh at
a Bt brinjal protest rally in Ahmedabad

Sharing his personal experience with the audience, Nandkishore Raut of Bhambraja village in Yavatmal, Maharashtra said, "Earlier most of our crops would be destroyed by boll worms but after using Bt cotton we are seeing a good yield."

Problems
Panduranga Wamanrao Iname, a farmer from Ranjangaon in Aunrangabad lamented that due to the involvement of middlemen, farmers were made to pay much higher for Bt seeds.

"Whatever price is set by the government, farmers should pay only that much. But, we end up paying more as middlemen involvedu00a0 charge us more than the MRP." The panelists came to a consensus that the problem is not at the production level, but distribution and marketing of seeds should be taken care of by monitoring bodies.

Report
Introduction of herbicide tolerant genetically modified (GM) crops, which are at the field trial stage in India, can pose serious threat to health and environment, according to a report released by Greenpeace.

The report attempts to draw attention to the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India bill, which was expected to be introduced this session.

According to Greenpeace, the bill once enacted, is expected to allow easy approval of GM crops.

The report stresses the need for the government to curb the entry of GM crops and set up a Biosafety Protection Regime instead of instituting a new regulatory body to supervise the GM crops.

The Other Side

An interview with Dr Pushpa Bhargava, founder director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. Dr Bhargava is also a recipient of Padma Bhushan