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.
GM crops | Guest opinions
August 2007

GENETICALLY ENGINEERED FOODS
What's that on your plate?
Genetically engineered foods are blurring the line between acceptable and taboo sources of food for many people. This advance of technology is taking place without the informed consent of the consumers, and additionally raises questions about the safety of such foods and the labeling standards that ought to be adopted, writes Suman Sahai.
GM Crops
February 2007

PATENTS AND LIVELIHOODS
Engineering crops, distorting trade
When technological change has the potential to put the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people at risk, it must be regulated differently from other products in a free market. Blindly promoting innovation, as is now being done with genetically engineered crops, is self-defeating, writes Suman Sahai.
GE Crops | Trade
September 2006

THE PEASANT'S WORLDVIEW
What the heart does not feel, ...
After 15 years of a battering from hostile policies and governments, the world of the peasant has turned highly fragile. But the onus of changing is on the farmer. Not on those driving a cruel process and system, who have only contempt for ordinary folk, writes P Sainath.
P Sainath | Farmers' suicides
September 2006

WHEAT IMPORTS
Importing a farming crisis
India is unilaterally opening its doors to imports of wheat at a time when several contentious issues remain to be settled in the World Trade Organisation. This deliberate step up will result in serious consequences, and weaken the country's bargaining power, writes Ashok B Sharma.
Trade in agriculture | Guest Opinions

OPINION: VIDARBHA CRISIS
Much research, but no decisive action
At least sixteen committees and panels . from the National Farmers Commission led by Professor M S Swaminathan to the Planning Commission's fact-finding-mission led by bureaucrat Adarsh Misra . came this year to Vidarbha, apparently peeved by and concerned over the suicide crisis. Nothing has come of all this yet, notes Jaideep Hardikar.
Guest column | Farmer suicides
May 2006

CONTRACT FARMING
Corporate agriculture: transplanting failure
Growing corporate interests and influences in the country's farm sector are beginning to underplay the significance of cooperatives, despite failed pilot programs. Moreover, farmer-owned-firms continue to be successful in the developed nations, and this evidence too is being ignored, writes Sudhirendar Sharma.
Agriculture policy
May 2006

REGULATION OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
Biotech Policy: secretive and hasty
The government's stance towards biotechnology shows such disregard for the public interest that even its own Expert Committee is not privy to the proposed new policy. Suman Sahai protests the reckless endorsement of vested interests while many other stakeholders are kept in the dark.
GM Crops | Agri. Policies | Right to Information
April 2006

INDO-US AGRICULTURE DEAL
Nukes in favour, crops downgraded
Chasing nuclear stardom, sacrifice agriculture.
Guest Opinions | GM crops | Farm trade
April 2006

WTO HONG KONG MINISTERIAL
Much ado about nothing
WTO's faulty framework remains very much in place.
Agricultural trade | Devinder Sharma
December 2005

NSSO ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS
Falling farm incomes, growing inequities
What can you spend on, with Rs.8 a day?
P Sainath | Poverty
November 2005