Policy for GM crops should be farmer friendly

06-Nov-2024 06:32 PM

New Delhi. In view of the rapidly increasing demand for food grains and other agricultural products in the domestic sector, there may be a need for rapid production of genetically modified (GM) crops in the future.

At present, only commercial production of BT cotton has been allowed in the category of GM crops in the country, while the case of GM mustard is pending in the Supreme Court.

On July 23, the Supreme Court had directed the Central Government to formulate a national policy on GM crops by consulting with all the parties for research, cultivation, trade and use.

In fact, the Central Government had given conditional approval to release GM mustard environmentally in the year 2022. When the announcement of giving permission to the mustard hybrid DMH-11 was made, there was an uproar in the country and it started being opposed.

Later this matter reached the court. Due to the lack of unanimous opinion of the judges on this, the government was asked to formulate a special policy. Proponents of GM crops say allowing their commercial production is essential to ensure India's food security, but critics say it will shrink the agricultural sector, pose a risk to the environment and biodiversity,

and increase the risk to human and animal health. The central government is preparing a policy on GM crops, but experts say the policy should be based on safeguarding the interests and welfare of Indian farmers.