Research in transgenic crops must comply with rules: Agri Min

Amid growing opposition against genetically modified (GM) crops, Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh today pitched for research work in transgenic crops as per regulatory norms.
He also said the government is willing to use best technologies and scientific inputs from all available sources to achieve the goal of food security.
"Genetic engineering is one tool to break yield barrier in many crops. The Department of Agriculture supports research on transgenic crops if it is conducted as per approved procedure and guidelines and various bio and environmental safety measures are followed and prescribed approvals from the GEAC, the duly-constituted authority in the Environment Ministry, are obtained," Singh said at the Biotechnology Summit here.

The demand for food crops will increase in future and this increased demand will be met only through technology, he said in a statement issued by the Agriculture Ministry.
"New technologies that are beneficial for farmers and are found to be safe to environment and human health are the ones which would be preferred," Singh noted.
On foodgrain production this year, Singh said, "There was a fall in output by 4 per cent last year due to 12 per cent deficit rains. This year too, there was 14-20 per cent deficiency in rainfall, but scientists have said the impact on production is expected to be lower than anticipated."

He said the foodgrain production is expected to be better in 2015-16 crop year (July-June) compared with 252.68 million tonnes in 2014-15.

India had achieved a record foodgrain output of 265 million tonnes in 2013-14 crop year on the back of effective transfer of latest technologies to farmers under various crop development schemes, besides higher minimum support prices, the minister added.
At present, the government is looking into a proposal on GM mustard seed though there has been still opposition from anti-GM groups.
India has allowed only Bt cotton for commercial cultivation and put moratorium on Bt brinjal due to safety concerns raised by green activists.