Citizen groups and unions representing farmers have urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to write to the Centre against approving genetically modified (GM) mustard in India. The GM mustard is like a Trojan horse waiting to attack, they said.
The Government of India plans to approve GM mustard (three different types) developed by the Delhi University. The application for approval is at an advanced stage of processing by the Indian regulators.
“The mustard sowing season is fast approaching and the central regulators could take a decision on the matter any day soon. So we urge the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to look into this. The AIADMK government in its manifesto highlighted that it would not permit GM foods,” said Kavitha Kuruganti, Convenor, Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture. According to Ms. Kavitha, even neighbouring States should say no to GM mustard or it would enter the Tamil Nadu market.
Dhanapal, president of the Cauvery Delta Farmers Association, said that every family in Tamil Nadu consumes a minimum of 5 gm. of mustard per day. “So one should be cautious about what they eat. GM mustard would not only impact people but also spoil the soil,” he added.
T. Vellaiyan, president of the Tamil Nadu Traders Association, asked: “When we have ample mustard what is the need for the GM version.”
Members of the various associations expressed concern that the Centre is processing an application for a GM crop that is herbicide tolerant. According to them, “This will increase chemical usage in our farming in addition to displacing poor agricultural labourers from employment. This has direct implications for all consumers with greater toxic residues in our food. It is all the more shocking as the matter is pending in the Supreme Court of India.”
They also said allowing transgenic mustard will open the flood gates for dozens of other similar crops and jeopardise farmer livelihoods and bio diversity.
Mustard is mainly grown in the North-West parts. Rajasthan, U.P. are the major producing States. The Rajasthan output is highly monsoon-dependent. The other important producers are M.P., Haryana, Gujarat, West Bengal and Assam.
