15 November 2009
In view of global food insecurity, use of biotechnology and innovations in agriculture can improve yields and provide relief to the farmers, say experts. At a workshop in India’s capital, the need for a new Green Revolution has been strongly recommended.
New Delhi: After a controversial decision by a government committee to give its approval for commercial production of Bt Brinjal in India, the country’s minister of state for agriculture K.V. Thomas has been found arguing in favour of genetically modified crops.
Ignoring the havoc that the Bt cotton created in the country ever since it was introduced in 2002, he went on endorsing the crop: “The induction of Bt cotton has taught us that patience and endurance are as important as enthusiasm in biotech-enhanced crops. The superior performance and the disease resistance qualities of GM crops are enormous."
He, however, clarified that that there have been new safeguards proposed for GM crops. "There has been a screening and evaluation system put into position with multi-ministry participation."
“We must never be too much positive or negative. Let us be scientific, let us be practical. In the face of climate change impact, we have to improve the productivity and bring down the cost of production,” he added.
Giving his stamp of approval for controversial Bt Brinjal, Dr. C. Kameswara Rao, founder, Foundation for Biotechnology, Awareness and Education, said: “From the time of initiation till commercial release, a genetically modified crop involves more than 10 years of research by over 150 scientific and technical personnel. Bt Brinjal has been adequately tested and found to be functional and safe. Enhanced public awareness on this body of positive evidence will promote informed decisions and wider acceptance of this technology.”
“We have to clearly establish that if something is to be accepted then we have to see that it is not harmful to human lives and the environment. The area of biotechnology could become an area of promise which can lead to a second Green Revolution. We also have to see that all the resources that we employ in agriculture should be used efficiently,” he added.
With India’s population estimated to reach 1.3 billion by 2017, the Government of India estimates that the country may fall short of 14 million metric tons of food grains. This has created the need to meet rising food needs by improving India’s crop productivity through the use of technology and innovations in agriculture.
Various Indian public and private sector institutions are conducting extensive agriculture and plant research to increase food security and provide nutritionally-enhanced food to meet the nations’ growing food and nutrition.
Advances in plant biotechnology and plant genomics have received mixed responses in India. Some of the achievements have been acclaimed by end-users whereas others have faced criticisms. Therefore careful choice of modern technology as well as realistic assessment of their potential in crop improvement is needed.
Dr Swapan Dutta, deputy-director general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said: “Climate risks are common in Indian agriculture. It has been well documented that crops attain about 25% of their yield potential because of the detrimental effects of environmental stress. Land resources available to agriculture are shrinking while population continues to grow. Hence it is imperative that innovations in agriculture technology are employed to ensure food security for the country.”
Panellists pointed out that science-based dialogue and transparency are the best approach to convince people about the advantages of biotechnology for crop improvement. They also emphasised that people must not fall prey to “negative activism” and use their rational minds to explore the potential benefits of plant biotechnology.
- K.V. Thomas, India's minister of state for agriculture/ Photo credit: Anna Nath/ OWSA
Ignoring the havoc that the Bt cotton created in the country ever since it was introduced in 2002, he went on endorsing the crop: “The induction of Bt cotton has taught us that patience and endurance are as important as enthusiasm in biotech-enhanced crops. The superior performance and the disease resistance qualities of GM crops are enormous."
He, however, clarified that that there have been new safeguards proposed for GM crops. "There has been a screening and evaluation system put into position with multi-ministry participation."
“We must never be too much positive or negative. Let us be scientific, let us be practical. In the face of climate change impact, we have to improve the productivity and bring down the cost of production,” he added.
Giving his stamp of approval for controversial Bt Brinjal, Dr. C. Kameswara Rao, founder, Foundation for Biotechnology, Awareness and Education, said: “From the time of initiation till commercial release, a genetically modified crop involves more than 10 years of research by over 150 scientific and technical personnel. Bt Brinjal has been adequately tested and found to be functional and safe. Enhanced public awareness on this body of positive evidence will promote informed decisions and wider acceptance of this technology.”
- Dr R.K.Pachauri addressing the gathering/ Photo credit: Anna Nath/ OWSA
“We have to clearly establish that if something is to be accepted then we have to see that it is not harmful to human lives and the environment. The area of biotechnology could become an area of promise which can lead to a second Green Revolution. We also have to see that all the resources that we employ in agriculture should be used efficiently,” he added.
With India’s population estimated to reach 1.3 billion by 2017, the Government of India estimates that the country may fall short of 14 million metric tons of food grains. This has created the need to meet rising food needs by improving India’s crop productivity through the use of technology and innovations in agriculture.
Various Indian public and private sector institutions are conducting extensive agriculture and plant research to increase food security and provide nutritionally-enhanced food to meet the nations’ growing food and nutrition.
Advances in plant biotechnology and plant genomics have received mixed responses in India. Some of the achievements have been acclaimed by end-users whereas others have faced criticisms. Therefore careful choice of modern technology as well as realistic assessment of their potential in crop improvement is needed.
Dr Swapan Dutta, deputy-director general, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said: “Climate risks are common in Indian agriculture. It has been well documented that crops attain about 25% of their yield potential because of the detrimental effects of environmental stress. Land resources available to agriculture are shrinking while population continues to grow. Hence it is imperative that innovations in agriculture technology are employed to ensure food security for the country.”
- Panellists: (Left to right): Ajai Vir Jakhar, Chairman Bharat Krishak Samaj; Dr S.R.Rao, advisor, Department of Biotechnology; K.V.Thomas, minister of state for agriculture; Dr R.K. Pachauri, director-general TERI; Dr Swapan Dutta, DDG (CS), ICAR/ Photo credit: Anna Nath/ OWSA
Panellists pointed out that science-based dialogue and transparency are the best approach to convince people about the advantages of biotechnology for crop improvement. They also emphasised that people must not fall prey to “negative activism” and use their rational minds to explore the potential benefits of plant biotechnology.
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