India govt moves closer to allow field trials for GM crops

Even as the final call on fate of genetically modified (GM) food crops in India will be taken by the Supreme Court, the government recently made its intention clear by announcing that it does not have any reservation against transgenic crop if it passes the test of field trials under strict "crop-specific dedicated monitoring protocols system".

Government's stand over GM crops was articulated by the Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar at a 'National Conference on Agriculture for Kharif Campaign' which among other things also took stock of the country's contingency plan to deal with eventuality of poor Monsoon under recently predicted El Nino conditions.

The minister also made it clear that the scientific "field trial" of transgenic crops would be allowed in coming months, indicating that the Genetics Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) - the regulatory body for genetically engineered crops - will resume meeting for this purpose soon ending a two-year long break on decision-making process.

Reaffirming government's commitment to promote bio-technology for agriculture development, Pawar said, "Bio-technology has great potential to improve yields. Government is committed to the use of bio-technology and other new technologies for agriculture development and backs field trials of GM crops with 'crop-specific dedicated monitoring protocols system'."

He argued that the use of transgenic crops is essential to meet the growing demand of food-grains in the country at the time when there is little scope of area expansion for agriculture.

"In fact, the burden on land is bound to increase. We have to meet the burgeoning demand of food-grains, fruits and vegetables from the limited land base. The only Mantra is, increasing the productivity. The use of bio-technology for this purpose is imperative", said Pawar.

Speaking about government's contingency plan to deal with possible El Nino conditions, the minister asked the scientists and policy makers to pull up their socks and strengthen measures so that the country can face any eventuality of poor Monsoon.

Assuring the gathering, he, however, informed that the "contingency plans are ready for 500 districts of the country. These will be made operational in the event of low rains during the monsoon season".

Ministry officials later during the Conference explained the contours of the plan to deal with any such eventuality.

The plan includes close monitoring of the situation, keeping ready sufficient quantities of short-duration varieties of major crops, issuing location-specific advisories, and involving research institutes, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) and extension machinery for reaching farmers in time.

El Nino, which refers to the warming of the central and east Pacific and cooling of the West, occurs every four to 12 years. It had last hit India's Monsoon in 2009, leading to worst drought in the country in nearly four decades.

The Australia's Bureau of Meteorology, the US Climate Prediction Center and other global weather institutions have already predicted possibility of less rain in India during Monsoon this year due to El Nino effect.

Though the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) will come out with detailed predictions in April, Pawar informed that climatic developments were being watched and analyzed.

He, at the same time, said, "As of now it appears that El Nino will not have a significant impact over Monsoon".