Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006
Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Agri-Biz & Commodities
-
Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables States - Andhra Pradesh AP Govt urged not to allow Bt brinjal Our Bureau
The worst results were obtained from Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University in terms of several parameters.
Hyderabad , June 27 A group of scientists, activists and farmers have urged the Andhra Pradesh Government not to allow the cultivation of Bt brinjal. Presenting various arguments against the transgenic vegetable at a round-table discussion, these groups cited the example of the Uttaranchal Chief Minister, who they said assured that he would not permit any genetically modified seeds into the State. Bt brinjal is not the need of the farmers — it certainly is the need for more markets for the company. There is no reason whatsoever why Andhra Pradesh or the Centre cannot promote other well-established and safer alternatives for pest management in brinjal. Such experience exists with hundreds of farmers, said Dr M.S. Chari, former Director, Central Tobacco Research Institute. Bt brinjal, as part of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research supervised limited field trials, was tested in the Acharya NG Ranga Agriculture University along with ten other centres in 2005-06. The worst results were obtained from this Centre in terms of several parameters, including yields, claimed the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), in a press release. "We have raised concerns with regard to Bt brinjal — its need, safety, sustainability with the Union Minister's for Health and Environment & Forests, as well as the AP Government," said Dr G.V. Ramanjaneyulu of the CSA. Dr A. Prasada Rao, Agriculture Scientist and Advisor to the farmers' movement wanted to know what has changed in recent times that the State Government could permit the transgenic vegetable, especially after the trials produced the worst performance last year. The CSA argued that India is the centre of origin for brinjal. A transgenic crop such as Bt brinjal could contaminate the seed stock and make future research impossible and possibly threaten the crop itself. There is also no crisis in brinjal production.
More Stories on : Horticulture/Fruits & Vegetables | Bio-tech & Genetics | Andhra Pradesh
Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page
|
Stories in this Section |
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | Business Line | Sportstar | Frontline | The Hindu eBooks | The Hindu Images | Home |
Copyright © 2006, The
Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu Business Line
|