Terming the genetically modified crops as the “next revolution” in farming, a panel of experts on Thursday batted strongly for employing modern techniques and methods to boost farm productivity.

Discussing the importance of technology in agriculture sector at a panel discussion, one of the panellists, Mr Swapan Datta said that the biotechnology can improve biodiversity and help in improving farm productivity as well.

“There is no relation between biotechnology and loss of biodiversity rather biodiversity means enhancing crops by adding genes to make it more productive,” said Mr Datta, Deputy Director General, Crop Science, Indian Council of Agriculture Research.

“Science and technology can be used to develop value added genetically engineered or modified crops and that crops can support our environment, farmers’ need and country’s aspirations,” he added.

Another panellist, Mr S L Kothari, professor of Department of Botany, University of Rajasthan, highlighted the aspects of genetically modified crops and said it would be the “next revolution“.

Mr Kothari laid emphasis on increase in farm productivity so that farmers can get more benefit from his crops.

The discussion, stressing on the need for improved plant varieties, revolved around the need to employ advanced technology for production, importance of developing varieties that can stand the stressful impacts of diseases, climate driven events like droughts and floods and temperature fluctuations.

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