In ongoing trade talks, the United States is advocating for India to open its agriculture market to genetically modified (GM) crops. However, India has firmly rejected this proposal, citing concerns that the introduction of GM crops could undermine farmers' livelihoods, food safety, and threaten the country’s agricultural sovereignty. Agriculture and dairy are considered "sacrosanct red lines" for India, and the government has indicated that GM crop imports are a potential threat to its established agricultural practices.
Genetically Modified (GM) Crops are plants whose DNA is altered using genetic engineering technologies to enhance specific traits such as:
Pest resistance
Drought tolerance
Nutritional enhancement
First GM Crop: The Flavr Savr tomato was the first GM crop to be commercially grown in the US in 1994, engineered for delayed ripening.
Global Expansion: By 2019, over 17 million farmers across 29 countries cultivated 190 million hectares of GM crops (ISAAA).
Regulatory Framework: GM crops in India are governed by the Rules for the Manufacture, Use, Import, Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms, Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (1989) under the Environment Protection Act (1986). This framework covers the approval process, including research, commercial use, and import.
Commercial Use: Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India since 2002, and it covers over 90% of the cotton-growing area, approximately 12 million hectares.
Impact:
Production Increase: Bt cotton contributed to a 193% increase in cotton production from 2002 to 2014.
Pesticide Reduction: Significant reduction in pesticide use and higher farmer incomes.
Decline in Yields: Since 2015, yields have declined, largely due to pest resurgence and the lack of updated GM traits.
Bt Brinjal: Approved in 2009 but placed under a moratorium due to public and political concerns.
GM Mustard (DMH-11): Approved in 2022, but still awaiting final approvals.
HT-Bt Cotton: A herbicide-tolerant variant of Bt cotton is illegally cultivated in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Example: Bt cotton, which produces its own insecticides, effectively controls pests like bollworms and reduces pesticide usage.
GM crops are engineered to withstand drought, salinity, and heat. For example, drought-tolerant maize has shown improved yields in dry climates.
Crops like Golden Rice are biofortified with beta-carotene to combat Vitamin A deficiency in regions with limited dietary diversity.
GM crops with extended shelf life, like Flavr Savr tomatoes, reduce spoilage, especially in regions without proper refrigeration.
Biopharming (plants producing vaccines or therapeutic compounds) and phytoremediation (using GM plants to clean up environmental pollutants) are emerging areas of research.
Gene Flow: GM crops may crossbreed with wild relatives, leading to issues like herbicide-resistant superweeds.
Biodiversity: Concerns over the negative impact on biodiversity due to monoculture practices.
Health Risks: There are ongoing concerns about the long-term safety of GM crops, as highlighted by incidents like the StarLink corn controversy, where GM corn not approved for human consumption was accidentally introduced into the human food supply.
India has been slow to approve GM crops due to political hesitancy and regulatory opacity, even for crops like Bt brinjal and GM mustard.
Seed Dependence: Small farmers fear dependency on large corporations like Monsanto for seeds, which could drive up input costs.
Ethical Issues: Concerns over the impact of GM crops on food sovereignty, with ethical debates about "playing God" and the rights of communities in deciding agricultural practices.
Contamination: Coexistence of GM and non-GM crops can result in cross-pollination, risking organic certification and affecting market access.
Illegal Cultivation: HT-Bt cotton is illegally grown in some states, which undermines biosafety regulations and creates a black market for unregulated seeds.
Resistance: Overuse of GM traits has led to pest resistance, reducing the effectiveness of Bt cotton and other GM crops.
Global Competitiveness: India’s failure to adopt new GM technologies has led to a decline in cotton exports, and the country is expected to be a net importer of cotton by 2024–2025.
The approval process for GM crops must be transparent, science-driven, and time-bound, with public access to field trial data and independent oversight.
Promote collaborative research and development through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to balance innovation with public interest.
Develop policies that ensure farmer access to quality seeds, training, and insurance, while preventing seed monopolies and protecting indigenous crop varieties.
Implement strategies for coexistence of GM and non-GM crops, such as buffer zones and strict enforcement against illegal cultivation.
Introduce GM labeling and raise public awareness to ensure informed consumer choices.
Prioritize GM crops like Golden Rice, iron-rich pulses, and zinc-enriched wheat to address micronutrient deficiencies.
Pilot programs should demonstrate health benefits of biofortified GM crops in tackling malnutrition.
India's journey with GM crops, marked by the success of Bt cotton and the challenges of regulatory delays, underscores the tension between scientific potential and political hesitancy. In the face of climate challenges, food security concerns, and global trade pressures, India must adopt a science-driven, farmer-focused, and innovation-enabling approach to GM crop adoption.
We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
If you haven’t created your account yet, please Login HERE !
We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
Offline/Online Class