Have GM crops helped Indian farmers

What are the attitudes and perceptions towards genetically modified crops and foods in India. Soon an in-depth research study will come out with the answers.

The Canada-based International Development Research Centre in collaboration with the Gene Campaign has launched a unique research study on the attitudes and perceptions towards crops and foods in India. IDRC has undertaken a similar study in China relating to the agri-biotechnology policy.

According to IDRC regional director for Asia, Stephen Megurk, 10 years of experiences of Bt cotton cultivation in China has brought to the fore new generation of technical problems, including pest-ecology problems.

"There has been a significant increase in use of pesticides in some areas. We feel that the problems will be similar in India," he said.

DRC is a non-profit independent think tank. It also receives aid from the Canadian government. Gene Campaign, which is slated to undertake the study in India, has already produced a documentary film on Bt cotton cultivation in the suicide-prone Vidarbha district.

"Our study will aim at involving all stakeholders. The study will be divided into 10 stages and aim

at identifying the root of the problem and suggest appropriate remedies," said Suman Sahai, Gene Campaign, convener.

Meanwhile, according to the data released by the directorate of cotton development, the Bt cotton acreage moved up 38 per cent cultivated in 34.61 lakh hectares across India during the current cotton season, which started from October.

Maharashtra is on the top with Bt cotton cultivation in 16.55 lakh hectares. Andhra Pradesh is in the second position in terms of Bt cotton acreage in 6.57 lakh hectares, which is around 69.3 per cent of the total area of the state.

Bt cotton cultivation jumped remarkably within four years after it was introduced in the country during 2002-03. The acreage would have gone up if the availability of seeds been adequate as per the demand.
Bt cotton prices came down considerably, which helped growers going for Bt cotton cultivation.

According to the report, Bt cotton seed packet sufficient to cover one acre cost Rs 750 during 2006-07 in most states as against Rs 1,600 during last year.

Currently, 41 Bt cotton varieties developed by about 15 private seed firms are approved for cultivation in the North, Central and South zones.