London (14.11.09) – About a month ago, the Indian Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), the biotechnology regulator, approved the commercialisation of genetically modified Bt brinjal (aubergine, eggplant) al would be the first (1) although formal government approval is needed.

Indian farmers have very successfully been growing Bt-cotton since it was approved in 2002 having eventually persuaded their government to agree after some years of unauthorised cultivation. However, brinjal would be the first GM food crop to be grown in the country.

Inevitably there has been an outcry from those who oppose GM technology and foresee that the Bt Brinjal will pave the way for nearly 60 genetically modified food crops in India, some of which, like rice, corn and okra, are already in the pipeline. The Coalition for GM-Free Madhya Pradesh has urged the state government to heed the demand of farmers’ organisations, people’s movements, consumers and other civil society organisations to intervene immediately and stop a field trial of GM in Jabalpur They seek to keep Madhya Pradesh free from GM crops and foods.

Interestingly, the Coalition questioned the very need for this herbicide-tolerant, pest-resistant GM technology that is being tried out here. They expressed fears that herbicide tolerance trait inserted into our agricultural crops would mean that millions of poor agricultural workers will not find employment through de-weeding, one of the main sources of employment in rural India today (2). They argued that herbicide tolerance might be a technology suitable for countries like the USA where only 2 per cent of the population live off farming but not in India. Others would note, however, that it was improvements in farming technology in western countries that released labour for other forms of wealth creation leading to the rich societies today in those countries.

The Coalition has commented further that it is “obvious” that traits like insect resistance through Bt crops is not a sustainable solution since the pests will develop resistance to the Bt pesticide now being produced from within the plant. Experience elsewhere, however, has shown that with proper management resistance is very slow indeed to develop and may possibly be held at bay indefinitely if farmers stick faithfully to the appropriate protocols. In an age when many people feel that the agricultural use of pesticides has become excessive, biological solution such as the use of endogenous Bt allows for biological control of pests and minimises the application of chemicals to the soil.

Sources:

1. Zia Haq and Chetan Chauhan (15.10.09). Biotech regulator approves commercial release of Bt brinjal. Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/Biotech-regulator-approves-commercial-release-of-Bt-brinjal/H1-Article1-465298.aspx)

2. Narendra Ch (6.10.09). MP CM (Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister) asked to stop GM Corn field trials in the state. MeriNews (http://www.merinews.com/article/mp-cm-asked-to-stop-gm-corn-field-trials-in-the-state/15785642.shtml)

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