The Hindu Business Line : GM brinjal on trial

The gathering opposition to trials of genetically-modified (GM) food crops is unfortunate. Currently, Bt brinjal, an insect-tolerant variety, is being field-tested; but the experiment runs the risk of getting torpedoed because of vociferous protests, much of which seem to spring from a ‘fear of the unknown’. While the long-term effects of engineered crops are unknown, the last 12 years (the first GM crop was commercialised in the US in 1996) have not thrown u p any scary results. How long long-term is is yet to be conclusively answered. Be that as it may, it may be recalled that India’s first GM crop, Bt cotton too faced rough weather in the initial stages; but its success is here for all to see. India’s cotton output (310 lakh bales) has nearly doubled in just five years, making the country the world’s second largest producer; from being an importer of about 20 lakh bales, it has turned exporter of 50-60 lakh bales of cotton. Bt cotton has surely played a key role in this turnaround. Growers would not have taken to GM cotton (currently, Bt cotton represents over 50 per cent of the estimated 90 lakh hectares under the fibre crop) unless it proved profitable and beneficial.

An average Indian farmer may be resource-poor, but one cannot underestimate his ‘native intelligence’ in capturing profitable opportunities. Indeed, the progress of Bt cotton argues the case for infusion of technology in Indian agriculture; it has become all the more urgent given the stagnancy in farm growth and the creeping threat to food security. It is imperative, however, that growers are made fully aware of what they are growing. Agbiotech is a wonderful tool, but surely not a magic bullet that can solve all of the growers’ myriad problems. The technology promoter company must make full disclosure about the nature of the crop and related bio-safety issues. Together with the State government, the regulator should play a more proactive role to ensure that there is a clear ‘meeting of the minds’ between the two contracting parties — the promoter company and the grower.

Admittedly, Bt brinjal is a food crop, while cotton is a non-food crop or fibre. Therefore, bio-safety concerns deserve more focussed attention. There shall be no compromise on enforcing safety norms. Marketing of the food crop is also sure to be a tricky issue. Consumers have a right to know what they are paying for. Unlike in the US, where there are no labelling stipulations, the law in India regulates the sale of GM crops. The marketing issue needs to be resolved harmoniously, keeping in mind the interests of various stakeholders. The Indian government has so far demonstrated a fairly cautious approach to adoption of agricultural biotechnology. Such caution must continue. At the same time, a balanced information campaign must be pursued so that growers and consumers are provided the facts they need to make a conscious choice.

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