Can organically cultivated crops and genetically modified crops co-exist especially, in adjoining fields? This has been an issue of debate for some years now. The issue at hand is the potential of contamination of organic crop through pollen drift from non-organic or GM crop cultivated in proximity.

While companies selling genetically modified seeds claim that the technology is not in conflict with organic cultivation as the former helps reduce use of pesticides, those engaged in organic cultivation perceive GM technology as not purely organic. GM crops still need integrated pest management and integrated nutrient management. There are issues with organic certification too.

The matter has come to a head in a court in Western Australia where owners of two neighbouring fields — one cultivating organic oats and the other GM canola — are fighting over cultivation rights and duty of care. The organic farmer has lost his certification because his neighbour planted modified canola. Commercial cultivation of GM canola was permitted by the Australian government sometime in 2009-2010.

The outcome of the legal dispute is keenly awaited. The court is likely to rule on the relative rights and obligations of neighbouring farms. The outcome may also potentially force amendments to the organic certification process.

Clearly, the issue is not about desirability or otherwise of GM crops and their contribution to the market; but whether organic and non-organic cultivation can harmoniously co-exist.

It may be a coincidence that the legal dispute in faraway Australia has come up at a time when the Indian Government has permitted field trials of GM crops, subject to State government’s approval. Maharashtra, for instance, has decided to allow firms to undertake field trials of select crops.

Given that landholdings in India are rather small — over 80 per cent of farmers own less than two acres — the issue of co-existence of GM and non-GM crops assumes greater importance. Currently, Bt Cotton is the only GM crop commercialised. Over the last several years, area under modified cotton cultivation has expanded and currently stands at nearly 90 per cent of the total area under cotton (11-12 million hectares).

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