Govt's decision on GM pulses depends on regulator GEAC

Faced with shortage of pulses and rising prices, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today said the government's decision on GM pulses will depend on green signal from the biotech regulator GEAC.
Currently, Bt cotton is the only genetically modified (GM) crop allowed for commercial cultivation in the country. The previous government had put a moratorium on commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal in 2010.
Asked if the government would promote GM pulses to boost pulses production, Singh said, "our ministry will implement the decision taken by the regulator Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) under the Environment Ministry."
He was responding to queries at a press briefing on the government's achievement in the last two years.

Earlier this month, the government had informed Parliament that ICAR-Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur has developed transgenic events for resistance against gram pod borer in chickpea and pigeon pea.
The government had said the institute has submitted the application to Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM) for event selection trials of four transgenic events, two each in chickpea and pigeon pea.

After the selection of appropriate events and clearance of RCGM, transgenic events will be submitted to GEAC for further observation and approval of BRL1 trial, it added.
The government had also informed that a group of secretaries has recommended resolving regulatory issues of GM crops.

Earlier during the day, NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand said increase in the minimum support price of pulses alone will not help in raising output without technological breakthrough.
Pulses output is estimated to be 17.33 million tonnes this year, marginally higher than previous year's production of 17.15 million tonnes, but much below the record 19.25 million tonnes achieved in 2013-14 crop year.
There is a deficit of 7-8 million tonnes as annual demand is estimated to be more than 23 million tonnes.