India and GM-Mustard

Why in news?

• The genetic engineering appraisal committee (GEAC), India’s biotechnology regulator has approved the environmental release and cultivation by farmers of DMH-11.
• It is a genetically modified (GM) hybrid mustard developed by scientists at Delhi University.

What are genetically modified crops?

• Genetically modified crops are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques.
• The aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur naturally in the species.
• In food crops include resistance to certain pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, and improving the nutrient profile of the crop.
• In non-food crops include production of pharmaceutical agents, biofuels, and other industrially useful goods, as well as for bioremediation.
• More than 10% of world’s crop lands has been planted with GM crops.

What are the benefits of GM crops?

• Better Pest and Disease Resistance.
• Greater tolerance of stress, such as drought, low temperatures or salt in the soil.
• High yield and faster growth, they can be cultivated and harvested in areas with shorter growing seasons.
• More nutritious, and tastier.
• May be possible produce medicines or even vaccines.
• Can be made resistant to specific herbicides.

What are the drawbacks with GM crops?

• Can cause Unpredictable side effects.
• Can cause ecological damage.
• Lead to over use of herbicides.
• Not accessible to every poor farmers.
• Problem with Intellectual property rights.

What is the status of GM varieties in India?

• The country has yet to approve commercial cultivation of a GM food crop.
• BT Cotton: BT cotton was first used in India in 2002.
• The only genetically modified cash crop under commercial cultivation in India is cotton.
• Now it’s being grown by Indian farmers on some 11 million hectares.
• Only 1/3^rd of the kapaas or raw un-ginned cotton harvested by farmers.
• Remaining 2/3^rd comprises the seed that is crushed to extract oil.
• Cotton-seed oil is, indeed, India’s second largest indigenously produced oil today after mustard.
• The de-oiled cake or meal remaining after oil extraction is, likewise, fed to milch animals.
• During its introduction it was found to be promising for many farmers but after few years it created distress among the farmers.
• It failed to fulfil its promises such has high yield, pest resistance, drought resistance.
• The seed prices are determined by corporates which is highly expensive for the farmers.
• Many hectares of the land has been spoiled by this seeds.
• BT Brinjal: The GEAC in 2007, recommended the commercial release of Bt Brinjal.
• It was developed by Mahyco (Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company) in collaboration with the Dharward University of Agricultural sciences and the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
• BT brinjal was overturned in February 2010 by the then Environment Minister who assumed the role of regulator and ordered a suspension on the transgenic vegetable’s cultivation.

What are the benefits of GM Mustard?

• GEAC has recently given a green signal for taking a decision on commercialization.
• Indigenously developed seeds, the patent remains with government unlike with cotton it remains with corporates.
• India Plans for food fortification to achieve SDG, this will help to achieving its goal.
• Yields are expected to rise by up to 30 per cent.
• India imports 15 million tonnes (Mt) of edible oils worth almost $11 billion annually, Mustard oil production from this variety of crop will save a lot on Foreign exchange exchequer.

What is the way forward?

• Environment ministry is the final conclusive authority in this regard.
• If the Minister’s consent is obtained, GM mustard would be the first transgenic food crop to be allowed for commercial cultivation in Indian fields and would be a gateway for several genetically-modified food crops in India.
• Many of the GM crops in world today are cultivated for animal feed, the effects of GM crops on Humans are yet undiscovered.
• It is to be noted that many Developed countries closed their doors for GM foods.
• The legal and regulatory status of GM foods varies by country, with some nations banning or restricting them, and others permitting them with widely differing degrees of regulation.
• GM varieties should be promoted in a responsible way, and lot of awareness need to be created among the stake holders.
• Other than bio-safety concerns, transgenic technology is necessary for India to be scientifically relevant as well as have better seeds to address threats from climate change.

Source: The Hindu & The Indian Express