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Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
GM Crops Can Help India Reduce Its Edible Oil Imports
Context: In a significant development, NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand has advocated for the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops to achieve self-sufficiency in edible oil production.
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- With the Supreme Court recently urging the government to finalise a national policy on GM crops, there is now a growing acceptance that the benefits of GM technology could outweigh its risks, explains Sandip Das.
India’s Stance on GM Crops
- Bt Cotton: India first approved genetically modified (GM) cotton — Bt cotton — back in 2002.
- However, no new GM cotton seed varieties have been cleared since 2008.
- Bt Brinjal: In 2012, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)—later reconstituted as the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee with curtailed powers—approved Bt brinjal.
- Despite this, the government shelved its commercial release due to environmental concerns.
- GM Mustard: More recently, the approval of genetically modified mustard (HT Mustard DMH-11), developed by Delhi University’s Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, faced legal challenges.
- A Supreme Court division bench delivered a split verdict on the petitions against its approval, directing the government to develop a national policy on GM crops.
- Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan voiced concerns, saying GM technology is “like playing with nature,” hinting at the government’s cautious approach despite productivity advantages.
India’s Experience with Bt Cotton
- Introduced in 2002, Bt cotton, genetically engineered for resistance to bollworms, quickly gained popularity among Indian farmers.
- Today, Bt cotton covers more than 95% of India’s cotton-growing area.
- According to the Central Institute of Cotton Research, cotton yields rose significantly between 2002 and 2016, although recent years have shown mixed results due to secondary pest infestations and yield fluctuations.
- Since the introduction of Bt cotton, average yields have more than doubled—from 191 kg per hectare in 2002-03 to 435 kg per hectare in 2023-24.
- Additionally, Bt cotton adoption has reduced pesticide usage, cutting input costs, improving farmers’ incomes, and enhancing farmer safety by minimising exposure to harmful chemicals.
Why NITI Aayog is Advocating for GM Crops
- Currently, India meets only 43% of its edible oil demand through domestic production.
- Imports, primarily from Indonesia, Malaysia, Ukraine, and Argentina, fill the gap.
- Domestically, mustard (41%), soybean (24%), and groundnut (7%) are the key oilseeds, but soybean yields have stagnated despite expansion in crop-growing areas since the 1970s.
- Ramesh Chand emphasised that increasing per-acre productivity through GM soybean is essential for ensuring edible oil self-sufficiency.
- GM soybean varieties could boost yields by 70-80%.
- In comparison, the United States—where most soybean is genetically modified—achieves yields three times higher than India’s current average of about 1 tonne per hectare.
- Chand also stressed the need for stringent consumer labelling laws to address public concerns about GM foods.
- He pointed to China’s recent approval of 75 GM crop varieties as a sign that India cannot afford to remain on the sidelines.
- Embracing GM technology could also strengthen India’s strategic trade ties, especially with the United States.
Global Experience with GM Crops
- Worldwide, over 30 countries—including the United States, Brazil, Canada, Argentina, and several European Union members like Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Romania—have approved GM crop cultivation.
- USA: Nearly 90% of the US soybean crop and almost 100% of its corn are genetically modified.
- Europe: However, Europe presents a mixed picture.
- France initially approved GM cultivation but later imposed a moratorium.
- Germany strictly regulates GM crop cultivation and enforces rigorous monitoring.
- The EU as a whole mandates strict labelling: any food or feed product containing more than 0.9% GM ingredients must be clearly labelled, ensuring transparency for consumers.
Potential Challenges of GM Crop Adoption
Despite the advantages, India faces several challenges in adopting GM crops widely:
- Export Risks: India’s high-value agricultural exports to GM-sensitive markets, particularly Europe, could be impacted.
- Pest Resistance: Experience with Bt cotton showed the emergence of pest resistance and secondary pest outbreaks.
- Seed Dependence: Farmers would rely on seed companies every year, as hybrid GM seeds cannot be saved and reused.
- Genetic Contamination: Cross-pollination could affect non-GM crops, leading to genetic contamination and the possible emergence of “super weeds.”
- Biodiversity Concerns: Ecologists warn that GM crops might harm non-target insects and reduce species diversity.
