NEW DELHI: Faced with stiff opposition from the states, civil society groups and even the RSS on GM food crops, the Central government is reaching out to the state governments to bring them on board for field trials.
Acting on the directives of the PMO, the environment ministry on October 21 organised a meeting which was attended by representatives from different states. More such meetings are expected to take place in the coming months. The PMO has asked the ministry to work with states and apprise them of benefits of GM crops and how it can increase production to ensure India’s food security.
Several BJP-ruled states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are opposed to trial of GM crops in their territory.
The PMO has stepped in to reach out to state governments on genetically modified (GM) crops. The October 21 meeting with the states’ representatives and the environment ministry came when the Central government was about to take a final call on commercialisation of GM mustard. Only Bt cotton is allowed in India, and if GM mustard gets a go-ahead, it will become the first food crop here to be commercialised.
“The discussion revolved around addressing impediments in research of GM crops and problems regarding confined field trials of transgenic crops, designated sites for trials, and ease of doing business. This was the first in a series of meetings to dispel any notion against GM technology,” an environment ministry official said.
The government is facing opposition from RSS-backed outfits such as Swadeshi Jagran Manch on GM crops. There have been meetings with these organisations to make them understand the benefits of GM crops.
Ahead of the 2014 elections, the BJP had clarified that they would not allow GM crops without proper scientific investigation. But after forming the government, the NDA is favouring GM technology. In 2010, a moratorium was imposed by then Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh in the UPA government on commercial release of Bt Brinjal following protests. Several countries are opposed to GM crops.