GM Crops News - India Together

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.

Agriculture Government Opinions

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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.

Devinder Sharma OP-ED Agriculture Policy Ground Reality

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

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.

Reviews Books

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.

Agriculture Environmental Law and Regulation 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

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 OP-ED Sujatha Byravan Development & Climate Policy

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.

Environment Agriculture Policy

GM CROPS

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.

Agriculture Sujatha Byravan Development & Climate Policy

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