India stands at a crucial juncture in its journey towards achieving food and nutritional security. Time is ripe to acknowledge the critical role of biotech innovations in addressing the challenges of food security, environmental sustainability, and economic resilience.
Genetically Modified (GM) crops have been a cornerstone of agricultural innovation globally, and India has been no exception. However, GM technology in India, despite their proven potential, continue to face public scepticism and regulatory inertia. India’s journey with GM crops began in 2002 with the commercial introduction of Bt cotton. Today, Bt cotton accounts for 94% of cotton-growing area, and 95% of production in India and the country became one of the largest producers globally. The results speak for themselves.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on 6th August 2024, the then Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare presented the results from studies by ICAR – Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR), Nagpur, that the yields rose by 3-4 quintals per acre with the adoption of Bt cotton and current farmers’ net return is estimated at Rs 25,000 per hectare in rainfed situation with the adoption of suitable agronomy. Further, ICAR-CICR studies shown no adverse effect of Bt. cotton on soil ecology. Thus, beyond economic gains, Bt cotton also delivers environmental benefits including reduced pesticide sprays to control bollworms from eight to four per season, on an average, significantly lowering the costs and minimizing farmers’ exposure. ISAAA points out that from 1998 to 2013 cotton yields increased by about 31% and application of insecticides reduced by 39%, which translates to 88% increase in profitability (US$250/ha). Yet, till date, Bt cotton remains the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India while other promising crops, such as Bt brinjal and GM mustard, HT Maize, etc., have been stalled unfortunately.
The economic implications of India’s hesitation to adopt GM technology are significant. The country imports edible oil worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore annually, much of which is derived from GM crops. This contrasts sharply with India’s resistance to allow GM solutions domestically, which could enhance self-sufficiency and result in huge forex savings. It is not just an agricultural issue, it’s an economic and strategic challenge that undermines the competitiveness of Indian farmers. In contrast, recently, China has approved five gene-edited crop varieties and 12 types of GM soybean, corn and cotton. Over the past years, China approved higher-yielding GM corn and soybean to raise domestic production, reduce import reliance, and augment food security.
Recently, the Supreme Court directed the Union government to formulate a comprehensive national policy on GM crops after holding public consultations. It must be noted that India already has robust regulatory framework, institutional and technical capabilities built over nearly 3 decades, which could not have happened without an effective policy w.r.to biotechnology including the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986, the “Rules 1989” which govern all activities related to genetically engineered organisms. The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) serves as the apex body for approving GM crop trials and commercialization. However, regulatory decisions often face political intervention and public scepticism.
What India needs now is not another set of completely new policies but synergistic weaving the existing ones together based on logic and solid scientific evidence rather than unjustifiable claims and hearsay. Such as a comprehensive policy document, if compiled effectively, will in the short, medium and long-term, address, research priorities, cultivation practices, trade regulations, and socio-economic impacts while ensuring transparency and inclusivity. Experts emphasize that such a policy must balance innovation with precautionary principles. It should incorporate robust biosafety protocols, consider socio-economic factors like farmer welfare and market dynamics, and align with international treaties such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It must strike a balance between fostering innovation and safeguarding health and environmental sustainability.
Further, the Indian seed and agribiotech industry is a very important stakeholder that plays a significant role in R&D and in commercialization of modern technologies to the farmers through seed production, extension and distribution capabilities. Based on extant policy, many domestic players have already made significant investments in biotech and GM research. Hence, the industry’s views must be given due consideration.
Scientific innovations alone will not suffice when public acceptance remains a formidable barrier. False and baseless claims and misleading information about the safety and efficacy of GM crops are usually propagated by groups with vested interest. This undermines the robust scientific assessments backing GM technology and its contribution towards strengthening food security and climate resilience. The European Commission in 2016 concluded that GMOs per se are not more risky than conventional crops based on 130 research projects over 25 years involving more than 500 independent research groups. This is in addition to endorsements by FAO, The National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine USA and more than 2815 studies available on safety of GM technology in public domain.
It is a common misconception that GM seeds must be bought by farmers every year while the non-GM seeds can be saved. In India, hybrid seeds are purchased by farmers for last 60 years irrespective whether they are GM or not while Open Pollinated seeds – GM or otherwise – can be saved by farmers. So, more outreach especially by the scientific fraternity highlighting the science behind and the safety and overall benefits of GM crops must be initiated to disseminate accurate information and address genuine concerns. Effective communication strategies are essential to counter misinformation and build trust among the stakeholders. Policymakers must ensure that voice of real farmers is heard in decision-making processes. Further, through leveraging emerging advancements such as CRISPR-based gene editing, India can harness the full potential of biotechnology.
Strengthening the existing science-based policy and regulatory frameworks and building positive public perception are non-negotiable. By adopting a balanced approach towards innovation while safeguarding environment and public health, India can empower its farmers, augment its economic resilience, and ensure food and nutritional security in the Amrit Kal.
Disclaimer
Views expressed above are the author’s own.
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