A senior farmers' leader and former Agriculture Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Mr Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, has asked the ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) to ban research on genetically modified (GM) paddy.

GM in paddy might impact business prospects for Indian rice in global markets. Voicing concern that GM paddy traits could contaminate natural varieties, he sought a ban on research in GM paddy as imposed in basmati areas in the North.

“Basmati farmers in the North were successful in stopping GM trials in paddy in basmati area. Any contamination of basmati could diminish demand in global markets. There is a huge demand for rice grown in the South too. The farmers here might lose this advantage if natural varieties are contaminated,” he warned.

He was addressing the ‘Innovative Rice Farmers' meet at Directorate of Rice Research (DRR) here on Tuesday.

Dr Swapan K Datta and Dr K D Kokate, Deputy Director-Generals of ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), felicitated 26 farmers, including women, from across the country for their innovations that promised to reduce drudgery for farmers and increase productivity.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Datta felt that innovations were also needed in policy making, factoring in the needs of farmers.

Dr Kokate, DDG (Extension) expressed concern over crop holiday in Andhra Pradesh.

On one hand the country registered record farm output, on the other farmers in the State had decided not to grow kharif crop.

“Farmers need to get remunerative prices. We have to discuss and find solutions to their problems,” he said.

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