India?s first experiment with commercial cultivation of genetically-modified (GM) vegetables came one step closer to fruition on Wednesday after the genetic engineering appraisal committee (GEAC) cleared Bt brinjal for cultivation. The decision still needs to be ratified by the environment minister before it becomes policy. The minister would be well advised to endorse the views of the GEAC as soon as possible. At the moment, India allows commercial cultivation of just one genetically modified crop: cotton. And, despite widespread scepticism that greeted the first cultivation of Bt cotton, it has been an unqualified success with yields multiplying many times over. For vegetables?there are some 40 varieties in different stages of trials?the case for genetically-modified crops isn?t simply about higher yields. It is as much about developing varieties more resistant to pests, which destroy a significant proportion of vegetable crops at the moment. Estimates suggest that Bt brinjal could add to the current annual production of 80 lakh tonnes by 50-70%?that?s as much destroyed by pests. It will be good for farmers and good for consumers.
Much will be written by sceptics on safety issues, but India?s regulatory record on genetically-modified crops and vegetables is very credible. Bt brinjal has been in various stages of trial for many years now. At least two years have been devoted to actual field trials in 11 select locations. No adverse effect has either been reported on the soil or in the consumption of Bt brinjal. In fact, some studies suggest that Bt Brinjal may be more environment friendly than regular brinjal. Another concern often expressed about genetically-modified seeds is that the intellectual property is owned by multinational firms. In the case of Bt brinjal, however, Indian research institutions have been very closely associated with the research?the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University and University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad. The seeds are being manufactured by the Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company in collaboration with Monsanto. Given the periodic scenario of high food prices and reports of supply crunches, India has little choice but to raise yields of key foodgrains and vegetables. There is much talk of another Green Revolution. GM is one technology that can be used in the very near future to facilitate such a revolution. Many other parts of the world are already leading us by some margin on the production of GM crops. It?s time we stopped debating it and put GM into the fields.
