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Maharashtra gives nod for field trial of five GM crops

  •   Sat, Jan 31 2015 08:48:04 AM

Mumbai, Jan 31 (PTI): The Maharashtra government has given 'no objection certificate' for field trial of five genetically modified (GM) crops -- brinjal, maize, rice, chickpea and cotton -- in the state.

Since June 2011, it has been made mandatory for companies to obtain 'NOC' from the state governments where they want to conduct field tests.

"Barring rubber, the Maharashtra government has given NOC for conducting field trials of GM crops -- brinjal, maize, rice, chickpea and cotton," said C D Mayee, member of the committee that suggests the state government on GM crops. In a meeting yesterday, the Committee-headed by Anil Kakodkar had given clearance for field test of these five GM crops, he told reporters while releasing a report on 'Global status of biotech crops' by international body ISAAA.

The state government has approved field trial of BT rice and two other rice varieties which are drought tolerant and has nitrogen use efficiency. Maharasthra is focusing on allowing those GM crops that address the problem of insecticides, weedicide and diseases in crops like rice, cotton, soyabean, groundnut, pigeonpea, brinjal, chilli and others.

Besides Maharasthra, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh have given NOCs for field trials of some biotech crops, while states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have banned such research activities.
  

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Comment on this article

  • Joe Britto, Nakre/Bangalore

    Sat, Jan 31 2015

    Although Maharastra , Punjab, Haryana, Delhi & Andhra Pradesh have given the go ahead for Field Trials of some BT crops, it's heartening that the major States are rightly against the GM crops.

    GM crops will mean the death knell for true farmers who have their own seeds especially fro food crops like Brinjal where Karnataka Farmers especially in Udupi region have so many special varieties of their own. The GM experiments have actually the back up of big Agrochemical firms who are spreading false data about GM crops being pest & disease tolerant.
    We see that GM cotton is a major failure and has fallen prey to various pests and has not reduced the use of poisonous Chemicals.

    Anyway it's good to have a healthy debate and come to a conclusion which will benefit farmers. At present the farmers are far better off without using GM seeds which will only enslave them to the Firms & departments.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse


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