Fourteen senators have written a letter to Biden administration expressing opposition to reclassifying potato as grain in forthcoming dietary guidelines.
In 2019, PepsiCo sued some Indian farmers for cultivating FC5 potato variety, accusing them of infringing its patent. It sought over Rs 10mn each for alleged patent infringement.
Last year's high profits and lower chances of the crop being destroyed by stray cattle drove farmers in UP to grow potatoes over wheat, leading to higher supply than demand.
GM potato is resistant to the devastating fungal disease late blight, while GM maize is drought-resistant. Ethiopia is also also holding trials of GM enset (a type of banana).
PPVFRA has revoked a plant variety protection certificate granted to PepsiCo India for the FC5 potato, a special variety that was grown exclusively for Lay’s chips.
The increase can be seen mainly in all horticulture crops such as fruits, vegetables, aromatic and medicinal plants, spices and plantation crops, except flowers.
The reach and impact of influencers are so significant that even politicians such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi have recognised their value—the National Creators Award is proof.
Economists say there are weaknesses in India’s GDP data. But statisticians claim the accusations are based on flawed understanding, saying while GDP has problems, the economists are looking in the wrong places.
Both the governments expressed their commitment to strengthening their maritime cooperation to strengthen the maritime safety and security framework in the region.
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