The Hindu Business Line : Farmers' fears on genetically modified crops allayed

The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) has sought to dispel fears of farmers, environmentalists and public about the hazardous impact of genetically modified crops.

The university's call has come a day after the destruction of the GM rice crop at the trial site at Ramanathapuram village in Alandurai near here by the Tamil Nadu Velan Kappu Kuzhu.

The university in a release said its scientists recently visited the GM rice fields in Alandurai and found the trial being conducted `as per bio-safety guidelines with the approval of Government'.

Stating that development of genetically modified cultivars was recognised the world over as one of the methods of crop improvement, TNAU sources said the approach aimed at improving specific desired traits of crops, which otherwise could be difficult through conventional methods.

The source pointed out that GM crops were cultivated in over 222 million acres by about 8.5 million farmers in 21 countries and the area was increasing every year. `In India, Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved so far for commercial cultivation. The area has swelled from a few thousand acres in 2002 to over 3.25 million acres in 2005.'

Activists allegation that Bt crops are injected with virulent virus is, according to TNAU - `not true.'

The University note said that Bt formulations were available in the market and the Bt protein, a history of safe use. "The major difference between the use of Bt formulations and Bt crops is that the crop itself produces the protein. And it has been proved through precise bio-safety experiments beyond doubt that the protein is non- toxic to human beings and animals," the release stated.

While arguing that Bt crops, including Bt rice, were harmless to the environment, university sources said it could also fit into any crop sequence and cited Bt cotton farmers of raising other crops successfully after the Bt cotton since 2002.

More Stories on : Agricultural Institutions | Bio-tech & Genetics | Tamil Nadu

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