Amidst the debate over introducing genetically modified (GM) mustard across the country, and many States having opposed it already, Karnataka is yet to “start the consultation process” to state its stand on the subject.
Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda confirmed to The Hindu that the State government is yet to decide on the controversial issue. “We will consult scientists, the biotechnology ministry, and the Chief Minister before taking a stand,” he said. Though no time limit has been set, the consultation process will commence soon, he said.
Major mustard producing States, including Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, have already opposed introducing GM mustard, and southern States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu — though not major mustard producers — have also written to the Union government opposing it.
Meanwhile farmers’ groups have urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to write to the Centre urging it to reject the GM crop. Their demand comes in the wake of the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) recommending commercialisation of GM mustard, developed by Delhi University. The Union Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change is yet to take a final call. Minister of State for Information Technology, Biotechnology and Science & Technology Priyank Kharge said that two rounds of meetings had taken place with the Agriculture ministry and one round of consultations with the Vision Group on BT on the issue.
“The Biotechnology department does not recommend the technology to the farming community directly. Ultimately, the State government and the Agriculture Department has to take a call on the commercialisation of GM mustard, and the ministry will give necessary inputs.”
Mr. Kharge agreed that the decision has to be taken cautiously. He said the general policy on commercialisation of GM crops could be taken on a “case to case” basis as they can have different impact. Mr. Kharge felt that irrespective of the State’s stand on the issue, scientific research on biotechnology or GM crops should continue. Incidentally, mustard is a minor crop in Karnataka and is cultivated as an inter-crop or a border crop. Of the nine oil seeds grown in the State, mustard cultivation and production is the least. Of the total of 33 lakh acres under oil seed cultivation, mustard is cultivated in about 13,000 acres.
KRRS leader Kodihalli Chandrashekar said mustard is being considered for future expansion by premier mustard research institutes in the country. “What farmers need, including groundnut farmers and other oilseed farmers in Karnataka, is better pricing and procurement policies instead of corporate-driven technologies like GMO (genetically modified organisms).”
Kavitha Kuruganti of Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture, who met Mr. Krishna Byre Gowda in Bengaluru recently to highlight the issue, said, “Kerala and Tamil Nadu, like Karnataka, are not major producers. But consumer interest should also be considered.”
