Farmers submit petition in support of GM Mustard

A consortium of six national farmers' organisations here on Wednesday submitted a petition to the government in support of the commercialisation of Genetically Modified (GM) Mustard.

"GM Mustard has the potential to increase yield between 20-30 percent, which is significant enough for the commercial cultivation of the crop. Additionally this technology will reduce the import bills, increase farmer's income and will bring more area under cultivation," Sardar U.S. Mann, ex-MP Rajya Sabha and a member of the consortium, said.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) of the Ministry of Environment is currently reviewing the commercialisation of the hybrid crop.

The Rashtriya Progressive Kisan Samiti submitted the petition, signed by 1,38,313 farmers across agrarian states, to Union Minister of Environment Prakash Javadekar and Union Agriculture Minister Mohanbhai Kundariya.

The consortium includes Sir Choudhary Choturam Bhartiya Kisan Samiti (BKS), Consortium of Indian Farmers Association, Kisan Coordination Committee, Shetkari Sanghatana Trust, United Farmers Empowerment Initiative (UFEI) and Confederation of NGOs of Rural India (CNRI).