Can genetically modified (GM) crops kept out of India?
Many eminent personalities from different walks of life have come together, to
raise their voice in union against the decision to grant field trail of GM
crops by Veerappa Moily. Genetically modified crops, often called as GM crops
or biotech crops are plants used in agricultural field, the DNA of which has
been modified. The modification takes place using techniques of genetic
engineering. The aim of this is to introduce a new trait to the plant which doesn’t
occur naturally in the species.
Shailesh Gandhi, former Central Information Commissioner
and well-known RTI activist released a letter to Maharashtra’s Chief Minister
and Agriculture Minister written by leading NGOs and eminent citizens, at a
press conference on 13th March, 2014, Thursday at the Press Club,
Mumbai. The letter questioned the need of GM trail in our nation and why should
this be promoted in India?
The letter states, “We are deeply concerned that 28
applications for open air field trials of transgenic (GM) crops have been
approved in the state of Maharashtra”. The letters have been sent by leading
organisations such as the Bombay Natural History Society, Council for Fair
Business Practices, AGNI, Avaaz, V Citizens Action Network, ASHA, ITRHD,etc and
individuals like Justice Sujata Manohar (former Judges of the Supreme Court
namely), Justice S.N. Variava, Prof. Armaity Desai Padma Bhushan Julio Ribeiro
and Shailesh Gandhi (former Central Information Commissioner) etc.
The conference’s propaganda was to highlight the cons of
GM practice and what affliction it can bring to agriculture in India. The
letter says how majority of ‘modern’ countries – including Europe, Japan,
Russia , Korea etc. have rejected the regulation of GM crops. Only 5 countries in the world including USA, Brazil, Argentina, India and Canada - account for 90 per cent of area
under GM. Even the world largest populated country China plants less GM area than India.
The speaker talked about how this particular practice can
decline the diversity of crop and it can be a serious major issue for the
future generation. The promotions of these crops through various advertisements
have leaded the farmers to take higher debts on the promise that GM seeds will
be a bonanza and then lose everything when the harvest fails. The opting of GM crops has not reduced suicides in Maharashtra. In 2012 two third of the suicides were in cotton growing states. Maharashtra has 90% cotton area under BT cotton, and the highest suicides, with 13% increase in 2012 was witnessed in the state. There are over
400 scientific studies which talks about the adverse impacts of Transgenic
Crops/ Foods. There is no crisis that demands any hasty decision for taking such a major step as India being
an agricultural country has sufficient food grain stocks.
The press conference concluded with message that that the
first step clearing GM trail should have been a transparent and open debate on
needs for it. They pointed out the fact how every citizen of this country and
farmer must have the right to be free of GM, if they wish.
It’s important to see why many states have not given permission for this trail. One shouldn't opt for this technology unless quite a lot research and studies support it. It’s important to promote organic food for betterment of the people. And lastly the demand was to cancel the GM trails in Maharashtra.
It’s important to see why many states have not given permission for this trail. One shouldn't opt for this technology unless quite a lot research and studies support it. It’s important to promote organic food for betterment of the people. And lastly the demand was to cancel the GM trails in Maharashtra.
