The Deccan Development Society (DDS) alleged that there was a ‘deliberate design’ and orchestrated attempts to make the country food dependent in allowing foreign direct investments in food and agriculture related segments.
“This is not an accident, but a design to gradually handover lands of food crops to industry. Walmart has become the first beneficiary in the decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail as expected,” DDS convener P.V. Satheesh said.
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Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, he explained how Bt Cotton had already become ‘major invader’ on the food crop area threatening the food security in several States. “Bt cotton symbolises a trap that genetically engineered crops are laying around the food sovereignty of Asia, India in particular, and West African countries,” he said.
Referring to the crisis in the State, he said 30 per cent of food production area had been occupied by Bt Cotton in the past decade. This was symptomatic of a trend of domination of GM crops over food crops which eventually would drive out all ecological, organic and safe foods produced by communities in order to achieve their food sovereignty.
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The designs coupled with ‘faulty policies’ of the government would turn India into a net food importing country, he said. The adverse impact of Bt Cotton dominance would be felt in cattle rearing as it would adversely impact food and fodder production.
US-based writer and winner of Alternative Nobel Prize Francis Moore Lappe, who was present, referred to the spread of GM crops in the US claiming it had resulted in the loss of biodiversity, family farms and the nation’s health.