Explore use of GM seeds with adequate safeguards: Expert panel

An expert panel under NITI Aayog has floated a set of ideas, including exploring use of genetically-modified seeds and minimum crop support price (MSP) reforms, for broader discussion.
"India should explore selective use of transgenic seed varieties with necessary safeguards in areas where conventional technology is not yielding the much-needed gains like pulses and oil seeds," stated a paper based on inputs of an agriculture taskforce set up under NITI Aayog and headed by its Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya.
All these options are being explored in order to revive the farm sector growth and the sector's contribution to Indian economy with an ultimate aim to bring India back on a high growth trajectory.

The taskforce has invited comments from various stakeholders like states, the general public, farmers and traders.
According to the paper, the BT cotton in India and many more GM seeds elsewhere in the world proved the potential use of GM technology by giving a boost to productivity in agriculture.
The paper said transgenic seed varieties can also help in addressing adverse effects of pesticides on human health and environment, food safety, abiotic stresses and vitamin and nutrient deficiencies in diets.

On MSP reforms, it said, one possible way to keep a check on prices falling below threshold level is to adopt the system of Price Deficiency Payment (PDP). While MSP may still be used for need-based procurement, the remainder of the produce may be covered under PDP, it suggested.

Under PDP, in case the price of a commodity falls below a threshold level, the government will compensate the farmers up to a certain level like up to 10 per cent of the benchmark cost.
The paper said that to start with, cotton may be adopted as a test crop for a pilot case in select districts of leading states.
Similarly, it also advocated putting in place land leasing laws for use of direct benefit transfer of subsidies to farmers.
Currently, land is tilled by tenants and the government ends up providing subsidy to land owners under the proposed move, an expert explained.

According to the paper, NITI Aayog should prepare "model land leasing Acts" that can be used by various states to reform their existing land lease provisions and Acts keeping in view the differences in existing laws, land tenure systems and special circumstances of hilly states.
Once this Act is in place, the paper said, a mechanism based on Aadhaar authentication can be devised to provide relief to farmers in distress.
The paper also suggested accelerated replacement of seeds and payment of direct fertiliser subsidy to farmers.