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The Hindu
5 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Farmers' associations scale up magnitude of impending ‘Organic Seeds and Food Festival' in Tiruppur, in its second edition
Seeking to improve on the maiden organic seeds festival conducted last year at Gobichettipalayam in Erode district, the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Protection Association (TNFPA) and the Tamil Nadu Nature Farmers Federation (TNNFF) have reached out to over 60 schools for participation in the various awareness competitions and activities planned for the Kongu Region Seeds and Food Festival at Tiruppur later this month. Last time, there were about 1,000 students from 12 schools. This time around, the footfall will be many times more as the organic seeds and food festival have been scheduled for two days on July 26 and 27 at the DRG Marriage Hall along Palladam Road, encompassing painting and elocution competitions and debate on nature farming, and the support systems available under government schemes to propagate organic farming, according to the organisers. Last year, the one-day event served the purpose of sensitising the upcoming generation to organic cultivation of vegetables and the significance of soil-suitability for specific vegetables. This time, a display of ancient farm implements and farming practices will provide a peek into healthy living for several thousands of school students, who really matter for propagating organic sustainable farming in the long run, Ainthunai Velusamy, State coordinator of TNFPA and TNNFF said. At least 10 hitherto lesser known edible banana varieties raised in a field by a nature farmer Senthilkumar, near Kanjikovil in Erode district, will be displayed, among several other crop varieties, Mr. Velusamy said. A debate on 'Denied, hidden and forgotten traditions' and inherent politics will involve front-ranking nature farmers as speakers. Votaries of organic farming will also deliberate on the 'political euphemism' behind replacement of the term 'genetic modification' with 'gene editing' by policy-makers, and drive home the importance of fulfilling the mandatory requirements of the substantial process of testing before introducing any genetically-manipulated seed variety, Mr. Velusamy emphasised. Citing the instance of BT Cotton, he said the impact of the crop on entire food chain is seldom discussed. The leftover cottonseed cake after extraction of the milk is used as feed for livestock and cattle. The milk yield from the animals again enters into the human food system. The school managements seem to be already aware of the importance of organic farming, Mr. Velusamy said, observing that the enthusiasm from the invited schools to be a part of the nature-friendly initiative generates hope for promotion of sustainable organic agriculture among the upcoming generation. 'We are also reaching out to government schools and are keen on involving the students from the rural parts in the event,' he said.
CNA
02-07-2025
- Science
- CNA
Indian farmers push back against importing genetically modified crops from US
HARYANA, India: Farmer Mahendra Singh has been growing genetically modified cotton – known as BT cotton – for the past 15 years in the northern Indian state of Haryana. The genetically modified variety was designed to resist pests, he said. 'The BT seeds that were first given to us were excellent,' he added. 'The results were amazing. We had great yield. We got a good price when we sold it and we didn't even have to spray insecticides." But the situation has changed. Pink bollworms, which have developed resistance to the genetically modified cotton seed and can decimate cotton yield, now threaten his crops. To protect them, Singh relies heavily on pesticides. 'It's expensive to keep spraying the crop,' he said. 'It's why we had stopped planting local varieties of cotton. It's particularly hard in the summer months to haul litres of pesticide into the field.' Currently, more than 96 per cent of cotton sown in India is BT cotton. While the variety initially delivered higher yields, output has been declining for years. Farmers told CNA that extreme heat and erratic rainfall have worsened pest outbreaks. They added that BT cotton seeds have been unable to adapt to changing climatic conditions. UNSUSTAINABLE, UNSAFE Agriculture researcher Dushyant Badal said a key problem is that Indian farmers are over-reliant on pesticides. 'Farmers continue to use high doses of pesticides on genetically modified crops, which shouldn't happen. That's why pests have become resistant,' said the managing director of Pragmatix Research, a firm which supports the adoption of sustainable farming practices. There are also concerns that genetically modified cotton – along with the excessive pesticides used to grow them – could spill over into the food chain. Most Indian farmers practise subsistence farming and feed crop residue to their cattle, which then contributes to the dairy supply. 'Something that has been genetically modified from a commercial point of view is not natural and can't be eaten,' said Badal. 'Our food policy must be safe in all aspects. It's a question of everyone's health.' OPPOSING GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS BT cotton was first approved for commercial use in the United States about three decades ago and was introduced to India in the early 2000s. While India's government has not expressed any health or environmental concerns, farm lobbies oppose further introduction of genetically modified crops into the country. They argue that such crops are unsustainable and unsafe, and are also worried that commercial farming by big cultivators could sideline small farmers. Genetically modified crops have since become a sticking point in New Delhi's trade negotiations with Washington, which hopes to export such corn and soybean to India. India is among the more than a dozen countries engaged in talks with US President Donald Trump's administration ahead of a steep spike in levies set to take effect on Jul 9, when a 90-day tariff pause expires. But the issue of allowing genetically modified US crops into India's agricultural market continues to be a big hold-up in negotiations. SIGNIFICANT OPPOSITION PERSISTS Agricultural experts also pointed out concerns of purchasing goods that India does not need. 'For most of the food items, India is self-sufficient,' said Siraj Hussain, former union secretary at the Ministries of Food Processing Industries and Agriculture. 'So, there is no need to import soybean, for example. If genetically modified corn is used for making ethanol, why not import ethanol itself.' A national policy on genetically modified crops through public consultation is currently in the works. However, strong opposing views remain. Some farmers like Rajesh Kumar, for instance, have fully rejected genetically modified cotton. Kumar is now in his second year of cultivating a local variety of cotton, and he intends to continue with it. 'People told me don't waste your money on local varieties. I had no issues though and the yield has also been good,' he added. 'Looking at me, other people have started planting local varieties as well.'
News18
26-06-2025
- Business
- News18
FSSAI 'Promise', Irked Sangh Affiliates: Double Trouble For Centre As US Pushes For GM Crops
Last Updated: New Delhi is deeply concerned about the US's insistence that India permit the import of genetically-modified (GM) products, which are widely controversial in India. As India and the United States navigate complex negotiations over a Bilateral Trade Agreement concerning agricultural products, a particularly sensitive issue has emerged – agriculture. The US aims to introduce its apples, corn, and soybeans into the Indian market. However, New Delhi is deeply concerned about the US's insistence that India permit the import of genetically-modified (GM) products, which are widely controversial in India. To date, BT Cotton is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in India, since 2002. New Delhi's concerns are well-founded, with both legal and political dimensions. In 2017, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) assured the Supreme Court that no GMOs were allowed in the country. However, the following year, this stance was somewhat adjusted. In 2007, the Union Health Ministry had issued a notification directing the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) to continue regulating GM food as the FSSAI had not yet formulated the necessary regulations or had the required domain expertise. Consequently, the GEAC transferred nine applications for the import of herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant soybean and rapeseed oils from Monsanto Holdings, Dow AgroSciences, and Pioneer Hi-Bred Seeds to the FSSAI. In August 2017, the Supreme Court instructed the FSSAI to create regulations and guidelines for GM food articles and to seek Parliament's approval for them. Yet, by 2018, the FSSAI was still in the process of doing so, according to its own admission. The current trade negotiations have hit a new hurdle with the US steadfast on pushing GM maize and GM soybeans, neither of which are legally permitted in India. Government sources suggest that any alteration in this stance could trigger judicial intervention and provoke the ire of the extensive farmers' lobby in India, who view GM crops as detrimental. Consequently, the government is cognizant of the significant political costs involved in altering the status quo for a trade deal. As discussions continue between New Delhi and Washington DC, this impasse might delay the agreement beyond the anticipated July 8 deadline, after which new tariffs of 26 per cent are set to be implemented in the absence of a trade deal. WHY WILL IT ANGER RSS AFFILIATES? Even the faintest hint of compromising on the issue of GM crops will first face opposition from within – particularly from affiliates of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), the RSS's economic wing, has been a vociferous critic of GM crops and foods in India for an extended period. Ashwani Mahajan, the Co-Convenor of SJM, elaborates, 'There are three reasons we oppose GM crops. Firstly, the incidence of cancer in the US is 350 per 100,000 people, compared to 100 per 100,000 in India, largely due to prevalent GM crops in the US. Do we want that? Secondly, our food exports, particularly to European nations that have banned GM foods, stand at $50 billion. If we permit GM crops, they will inevitably infiltrate our food system, jeopardising our exports. Lastly, there are numerous voices within the government against GM crops." Recently, a NITI Aayog working paper recommended that the Centre import genetically modified agricultural products like maize and soybean. Coincidentally, the US is also advocating for the inclusion of these GM products in India. In response, another Sangh affiliate, the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS), launched a vehement critique against the NITI Aayog, accusing it of capitulating to US demands. Mahajan adds that the Modi government seems to be standing firm on this issue. 'According to my information, the Centre isn't going that way, for which I am thankful," he states. WHAT ARE GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS? Genetically Modified (GM) crops are plants whose genetic material has been altered using biotechnology to introduce desirable traits. This modification is done by inserting genes from other organisms to improve resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, or to enhance nutritional value and shelf life. Unlike traditional crossbreeding, GM technology allows precise changes at the DNA level. While GM crops can boost yields and reduce pesticide use, they also raise concerns about environmental impact, food safety, and corporate control of seeds, sparking global debates over their adoption and regulation. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : FSSAI genetically modified crops India-US trade deal rss Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: June 26, 2025, 11:10 IST News india FSSAI 'Promise', Irked Sangh Affiliates: Double Trouble For Centre As US Pushes For GM Crops
