Criticising the moratorium on field tests for genetically modified (GM) crops, eminent agricultural scientist M. Mahadevappa, on Thursday, opined such a move was detrimental for the farming sector.
“If the field trials of GM crops were encouraged, by now, the scientists would have come out with drought-resistant varieties,” he said while delivering the keynote address at the inauguration of a state-level seminar on farmers’ suicides organised by University of Mysore’s Post-Graduation Centre Hema Gangothri here.
There was strong opposition to the release of Bt cotton in India and its introduction to the fields was delayed by nearly six years. “It was finally released in 2002. In eight years, India became the second largest cotton producer in the globe. Before the introduction of Bt cotton, we were in the fifth position… that is the advantage of advanced technology,” he said.
The scientists of University of Agricultural Sciences-Dharwad have cultivated Bt brinjal, but they have not yet got permission for field trials. The scientists are waiting for approvals to conduct field trials for Bt brinjal since February 2012. “If they were allowed to conduct trials, by now the scientists would have come out with drought resistant varieties of various crops that would have helped the farmers,” he said.
Dr. Mahadevappa, who is also former Vice Chancellor of UAS Dharwad, took a dig at importance given to organic farming. “Agriculture is nothing but organic farming. However, along with that we have to adopt new technologies to get better yield. Nowadays, some people are getting undue publicity in the name of organic farming,” he said.
Before the green revolution, food production in the country was just 45 lakh tonnes. “If not for green revolution, we would not have been able to provide food for the growing population.” He recommended setting up of Special Agriculture Zones, besides Special Economic Zones with agro-based industries for the betterment of farming sector. “We lack in accepting advanced technology and that has been one of the reasons for sorry state of farmers,” he charged.
Indumathi, Professor of Economics, T.S. Devaraj, Director of the PG Centre, and others were present.
