GM MUSTARD
‘Sarso mein IP ka tadka’ leaves local farmers in the dock

As debates around genetically modified (GM) mustard pick up in India, Shalini Bhutani takes a look at the neglected diversity of the oilseed mustard crop on native farmers’ fields and points to the bias of the existing law.

#Government Opinions #Agriculture
INDIAN SEED CONGRESS 2015
For the love of the seed industry
INDIAN SEED CONGRESS 2015 : For the love of the seed industry

It was a Valentine’s Day vow with a difference. The bond between the private seed industry and the public agricultural sector received a fillip at the recently concluded Indian Seed Congress in Agra over the weekend, reports Shalini Bhutani.

#Agriculture #Economy #Government
GM EFFECT
A few facts for GM-advocate Manmohan Singh

At the 101st Indian Science Congress in Jammu, the Prime Minister reaffirmed his faith in the potential of biotechnology for agricultural development. Devinder Sharma discusses findings that raise questions about the basis of his conviction.

#Agriculture Policy #Devinder Sharma #OP-ED #Ground Reality
GM CONTROVERSY
Seeds of doubt
GM CONTROVERSY : Seeds of doubt
The effect of GM crops on food, agriculture and farmers continues to be highly controversial, polarising scientists and policy-makers alike. Darryl D'Monte outlines some of the recent turns in the debate to show that the truth, perhaps, lies somewhere in between.
#Agriculture #Farmer Suicides #Poverty
BOOK REVIEW
On the trail of toxins
BOOK REVIEW : On the trail of toxins
The ubiquity of genetically modified crops, brought about by the sustained efforts of agribusiness giant Monsanto has raised concerns globally. Neeta Deshpande reviews Marie-Monique Robin's The World According to Monsanto: Pollution, Politics and Power.
#Books #Reviews
BRAI BILL
GM Crops: Can India follow the Philippines example?
The Court of Appeals in Philippines has recently passed an order, prohibiting field trials of GM Bt Brinjal. As the Indian government seeks to push through the BRAI Bill, Neha Saigal exposes its loopholes and argues why we should go the Philippines way.
#Environmental Regulation #Agriculture #Laws
NOT READY YET
Government ignores adverse TEC report
The Ministry of Agriculture moves to introduce adoption of genetically modified crops in India, in the name of food security. Scientists, however, are critical of this move. Neha Saigal reports.
#Agriculture
OPINION : AGRIBUSINESS
Schizophrenia of agricultural policy
OPINION : AGRIBUSINESS : Schizophrenia of agricultural policy
Any discussion of GM crops must take place within the larger framework of the indispensable need to promote biodiversity and set up agricultural policies linked to this need, writes Sujatha Byravan.
#Biodiversity #Sujatha Byravan #OP-ED #Development & Climate Policy
ENVIRONMENT/AGRICULTURE
Reasons for the Bt Brinjal moratorium
ENVIRONMENT/AGRICULTURE : Reasons for the Bt Brinjal moratorium
Barely three days after the conclusion of the last of six public hearings, Minister of Environment Jairam Ramesh slapped a moratorium on the release of Bt Brinjal. Anupama Rao summarises key points from the Minister's note.
#Agriculture Policy #Environment
GM CROPS
Genetic Modification: Where is the science?

The debate in GM plants is deeply suffused by vested interests. In addition to impeding research, companies also exert their influence on review and approval, writes Sujatha Byravan.

#Science and Technology #Sujatha Byravan #Agriculture #Development & Climate Policy
HERBICIDE RESISTANCE
Too risky to tolerate
HERBICIDE RESISTANCE : Too risky to tolerate
Small farmers distribute risk and harvest different things from different sources . Heribicide Tolerant crops strike at the very root of such proven strategies relying on diversity, writes Suman Sahai.
#Agriculture
GM FOODS
Pause before you eat
The Bt gene in brinjal does not increase productivity. But what it is surely about to do is bring India's first genetically altered food crop to your dining table. And there are lots of reasons why this should worry you, writes Devinder Sharma.
#Devinder Sharma #OP-ED #Ground Reality
REGULATING GM FOODS
SC to look into deregulation of GM food imports

Following Gene Campaign's challenge to the government's decision to withdraw all existing regulatory oversight over the import of GE foods, the Supreme Court has issued notices to the Centre, writes Suman Sahai.

#Agriculture
GE CROPS IN INDIA
Genetically engineered spin
GE CROPS IN INDIA : Genetically engineered spin
Lobbyists for agri-business interests will promote their agenda, naturally, but we must judge the merit of introducing more GE crops in India ourselves. Common sense, and all the data that is open to scrutiny, suggests that we should not, says P V Satheesh.
#Agriculture #ANDHRA PRADESH
REGULATING GM CROPS
GEAC's poor record of regulation
REGULATING GM CROPS : GEAC's poor record of regulation
How does one countenance a regulator that does not adhere to the law of the land and is also unable to protect the interest of one group against another? The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, says Bhaskar Goswami, itself needs to be regulated to ensure it plays a balanced role.
#Guest Opinions #Agriculture