Over past couple of months, govt panel has given go-ahead to field trials for several GM crops. There's still apprehension that anti-GM activism could derail trials.
While admitting the application seeking release of GM mustard, the Supreme Court asked farmers' union Shetkari Sanghatana, 'Where were you all these years?'
Ajay Sood was speaking on sidelines of 108th Indian Science Congress. While govt has approved environmental release of GM Mustard, SC yet to decide on petition opposing field trials.
When it comes to solving challenges while also being safe for people, animals, and the environment, GM technology is a game-changing innovation, the ministry claims.
Shetkari Sanghatana files plea in case filed by activist Aruna Rodrigues, who sought ban on GM mustard. It cites Bt Cotton's success to push use of genetically modified crops.
Colleagues remember Chittranjan Bhatia, 86, as a father figure and avowed geneticist who placed special emphasis on how science could translate into more income for farmers.
Agricultural experts and scientists have pointed out that despite the success of Bt Cotton in India, no other crop enhanced by biotechnological methods has been released in the country since 2002.
While global corporations setting up GCCs in India continue to express confidence in availability of skilled AI engineers, the panel argued that India’s real challenge lies elsewhere.
Without a Congress revival, there can be no challenge to the BJP pan-nationally. Modi’s party is growing, and almost entirely at the cost of the Congress.
Check the Nature article at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-020-0615-5
It cites that improvements in yield with Bt cotton was about 24%, while without Bt cotton was about 18%. It is not much. Also, the pests that affect Bt cotton now are different, for which the genetic modifications are now not working any more…
Finally, how can we promote strategies where GM crops are designed to be herbicide resistant, and then spray herbicides indiscriminately to kill all other species?
We are stuck with Bt Brinjal and Bt Mustard release while the world of science is moving ahead at a rapid pace. Our only GM crop Cotton which occupied 98% are a of total Cotton area in India, has amongst the lowest yield in the world. China produces the same amount of Cotton in 1/3rd of the area of India. The paradox is right under the nose of Indian regulatory authorities nearly 1 million ha area has illegal GM cotton.
So it’s not about the outdated GM technology and some idealists stopping it. It’s about lack of coherent policy for understanding and addressing challenges in our ossified public/private sector R&D in modern/traditional breeding, agronomy and other disciplines. Our focus on subsidies and populist policies and neglect on irrigation, rural infrastructure, soil health/organic carbon, mechanization, warehousing/logistics.
Once in a while advocacy pops up and shoots the magic bullet of GM crops quoting the same old experts. Ofcourse China and Bangladesh are moving ahead because of something else in addition to GM crop approvals.
The maize production enhancement is need of hour to sustain feed and upcoming bioethanol sector. At present single cross hybrid coverage in India is about 45% only. Thus, single cross hybrid coverage plus best weed and nutrient management would be key to achieve this target for next decade.
After fully exploitation of this potential can switch to GM Maize. In the data presented, the Maize productivity during 1992 to present is over doubled and at present stood 3.5 t/ha which is mainly happened due to expansion of hybrid coverage and adoption of good agronomic practices led enhancement in acreage expansion and overall productivity improvement.
So. GM is not only solution in maize. Our Maize production is 70% not irrigated with 80% acreage in kharif having no big GM solution as well.
Availability of GM for drought tolerance in maize is needed for India. We have good post emergence herbicide based weed management solutions at present in maize and thus HT maize has limited scope in next few decades. The insect tolerance Maize has certain scope in my opinion and can be prioritised.
Regards
Shankar Lal Jat
Senior Scientist
ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research Delhi Unit Pusa Campus New Delhi
Check the Nature article at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41477-020-0615-5
It cites that improvements in yield with Bt cotton was about 24%, while without Bt cotton was about 18%. It is not much. Also, the pests that affect Bt cotton now are different, for which the genetic modifications are now not working any more…
Finally, how can we promote strategies where GM crops are designed to be herbicide resistant, and then spray herbicides indiscriminately to kill all other species?
We are stuck with Bt Brinjal and Bt Mustard release while the world of science is moving ahead at a rapid pace. Our only GM crop Cotton which occupied 98% are a of total Cotton area in India, has amongst the lowest yield in the world. China produces the same amount of Cotton in 1/3rd of the area of India. The paradox is right under the nose of Indian regulatory authorities nearly 1 million ha area has illegal GM cotton.
So it’s not about the outdated GM technology and some idealists stopping it. It’s about lack of coherent policy for understanding and addressing challenges in our ossified public/private sector R&D in modern/traditional breeding, agronomy and other disciplines. Our focus on subsidies and populist policies and neglect on irrigation, rural infrastructure, soil health/organic carbon, mechanization, warehousing/logistics.
Once in a while advocacy pops up and shoots the magic bullet of GM crops quoting the same old experts. Ofcourse China and Bangladesh are moving ahead because of something else in addition to GM crop approvals.
The maize production enhancement is need of hour to sustain feed and upcoming bioethanol sector. At present single cross hybrid coverage in India is about 45% only. Thus, single cross hybrid coverage plus best weed and nutrient management would be key to achieve this target for next decade.
After fully exploitation of this potential can switch to GM Maize. In the data presented, the Maize productivity during 1992 to present is over doubled and at present stood 3.5 t/ha which is mainly happened due to expansion of hybrid coverage and adoption of good agronomic practices led enhancement in acreage expansion and overall productivity improvement.
So. GM is not only solution in maize. Our Maize production is 70% not irrigated with 80% acreage in kharif having no big GM solution as well.
Availability of GM for drought tolerance in maize is needed for India. We have good post emergence herbicide based weed management solutions at present in maize and thus HT maize has limited scope in next few decades. The insect tolerance Maize has certain scope in my opinion and can be prioritised.
Regards
Shankar Lal Jat
Senior Scientist
ICAR-Indian Institute of Maize Research Delhi Unit Pusa Campus New Delhi