Decision on field trials for GM crops in Mysore region draws flak

‘Introduction of such crops is fraught with danger’

The decision by the authorities to allow field trials for genetically modified (GM) crops such as brinjal, paddy, mustard, cotton and chickpea has drawn the ire of proponents of organic and natural farming in Mysore region.

There are many groups that promote organic and natural farming Mysore and surrounding regions. At the same time, Bt cotton is cultivated on a large scale in H.D. Kote.

Bt cotton

However, several farmers have stated, going by their experience, that the proliferation of Bt cotton has led to extinction of the indigenous variety of cotton seeds and loss of biodiversity.

There is also a fear that farmers will lose their sovereignty over seeds, which was evident two years ago when companies dealing with cotton seeds withheld supply and agreed to release them into the market provided the government agreed to a hike in prices.

Responding to the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee’s decision to allow field trials for certain crops, the Organic Outlet Network of Mysore, which is a network of hundreds of organic producers and market players striving to build a better organic food industry, has cautioned the government against such a move.

The network has written to the Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar arguing that introduction of GM modified crops and food was fraught with danger as the community’s and nation’s seed and food sovereignty would be compromised in pursuit of GM technology. Pointing out that India was basically an agricultural country and more than 50 per cent of the population was dependent on farm work, the signatories to the letter said that introduction of GM crops would lead to depletion of indigenous seeds as evident in the case of Bt cotton and make farmers dependent on MNCs. This dependency would further increase the agricultural input cost and make farming unsustainable, which would thrown millions of landless labourers out of work.

‘Danger to biodiversity’

In addition, the rich biodiversity of the country would be compromised, said the signatories who said agriculture was not merely a vocation, but a way of life. Introducing GM crops would destroy the very culture, which had sought sustenance from traditional agricultural practices in rural societies.

The network of organic farmers said allowing field trials for brinjals and other crops would set a precedent for field trials of other crops and soon the country’s diversity of agricultural and horticultural produce would be sacrificed.

The signatories included representatives of Nesara Farmers’ Market, Jeevamrutha, Nature Store, Nisarga, Bhoomitai Balaga, Karunadu Organics, Dhathu, Prakruthi and Hasiru.