Taking a view contrary to that of environmentalists on genetically modified crops, an agricultural scientist said GM crops had the potential to herald a second green revolution in the country.
At a workshop on ‘Micro-organisms and human welfare’ conducted by the JSS College of Arts, Commerce and Science in the city on Monday, agricultural scientist M. Mahadevappa, Director (Rural Development), JSS Mahavidyapeetha, Mysuru, said crops such as Bt. Cotton had higher yield and farmers should be encouraged to take them up in a big way.
He said India was able to move from fifth to second highest cotton-producing country in the world, due to Bt. Cotton.
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“From an importer, India has become an exporter of cotton,” he added. S.R. Niranjana, Professor, Department of Biotechnology, University of Mysore, delivered the keynote address.