SEEDS OF CHANGE OR DISASTER

WHILE THE GOVERMENT HAS BEEN DEFENDING ITS DECISION TO GIVE A GO-AHEAD WITH FIELD TRIALS OF GENETICALLY MODIFIED (GM) MUSTARD IN THE NAME OF FOOD SECURITY, FARMERS, TRADERS, OIL PRODUCERS, AND SCIENTISTS CONTINUE TO RAISE RED FLAG OVER HEALTH, SEED SOVEREIGNTY AND MONOPOLISATION CONCERNS

- NISHANT KUMAR AZAD MAHENDRA KUMAR

At a time when the issue of GM Mustard has become a topic of discussion in the wake of the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), which functions under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, giving a nod to seed production before the commercial release of genetically modified (GM) mustard, the Organiser on November 12 organised a brainstorming session, which saw the participation of scientists, farmer leaders, journalists and different stakeholders. The churning brought to the fore several important issues which are of serious nature.

Soon after the approval, farmers across the country opposed the move on various grounds, including the health impact. According to GM Mustard critics, it will have an adverse impact on the agricultural system of the country. Here, it is worth mentioning that mustard is cultivated by around six million farmers in around seven million hectares across Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. Besides, India faces a severe shortage of edible oils. In a letter to the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), accused the GEAC of functioning in an ‘irresponsible fashion’ and termed its claim made in support of GM Mustard as ‘completely untrue, unsubstantiated and wrongly projected.’