Request to Allow GM Mustard Cultivation

19-Sep-2025 08:26 PM

New Delhi. Top scientists have urged the Prime Minister to take necessary steps to allow the commercial cultivation of GM mustard, as any delay could prove costly for the country.

Ten of India's top 10 most respected and renowned agricultural scientists have directly appealed for immediate personal intervention to resolve the ongoing legal hurdles surrounding GM mustard.

Agricultural scientists say that the country has already lost valuable years due to legal hurdles in the GM mustard case, so efforts should be made to obtain clearance as quickly as possible.

The mustard sowing season is fast approaching, and it appears that another year will be wasted. A new GM mustard variety developed using indigenous technology is awaiting approval for commercial cultivation.

GM mustard could prove to be a significant contributor to achieving the goal of self-reliance in edible oil production, so delaying its cultivation for long would be inappropriate.

It is noteworthy that a high-yield GM hybrid variety called DMH-11 has been developed indigenously, but due to opposition from environmental organizations and pending court cases, its commercial cultivation has not yet begun.

It is worth noting that the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests granted clearance for GM mustard in October 2022, but the matter is pending in the Supreme Court.