Experts Gather to Shape India’s Bioengineered Crop Policy at PHD Roundtable
13 November 2024, New Delhi: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized an Industry Roundtable titled “Drafting the National Policy on Bioengineered Crops: Food Security Challenges and Way Forward,” convening experts from agriculture and industry to deliberate on the development of a strategic bioengineering policy. Held at PHD House in New Delhi, the session aimed to discuss the role of bioengineered crops in supporting India’s food security goals, highlighting perspectives from industry leaders and government representatives.
Vijay Sardana, Chairman, Kisan-Vigyan Foundation (KAKV) shared an in-depth overview of India’s food security challenges and the strategic role of bioengineering. “India prides itself on being food secure, yet we are still dependent on imports for oilseeds and, at times, resort to banning wheat and onion exports to safeguard national interests,” he said. Sardana emphasized that a structured policy and regulatory framework are essential to empower Indian farmers with the latest technology and innovations. “For India to truly achieve self-sufficiency, we need to streamline policies that encourage research, development, and technology adoption, especially in rural regions,” he added.
Chief Guest of the event Dr. P.K. Singh, Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare representing the Ministry, provided insights on the global and national landscape of GM crop use. “Currently, only 29 countries utilize GM technology, covering 200 million hectares globally. India’s policy, still in the drafting stage, will definitely reflect global insights on GM,” he stated. Dr. Singh also underscored India’s genetic resource capacity: “We haven’t yet initiated gene mining, but we have a pool of 4.5 lakh genes that could be transformative for agriculture.” He discussed the need to define priority areas for bioengineered crop focus, noting, “It’s crucial to determine if farmers are ready to embrace GM crops, especially considering the economic and sustainability aspects.” Reflecting on Europe’s hesitation towards GM adoption due to uncertainties, he emphasized, “Our policy must provide a guiding framework to address these concerns comprehensively.”
In his keynote address, Dr. K.C. Bansal, Director (Retd.), National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), ICAR elaborated on the applications of GM technology, emphasizing its importance in accelerating crop resilience. “We turn to GM crops for situations beyond the capacity of conventional breeding, such as achieving climate resilience and resource efficiency,” Dr. Bansal noted. He pointed out India’s extensive testing history, stating, “Over 4,400 assessments of GM crops have been conducted, and no anomalies have been found.” He encouraged public education to reshape the perception of GM crops. “This isn’t a scientific challenge, but one of effective communication. We need to address the knowledge gap and ensure people understand the safety and benefits of GM technology,” he asserted.
Dr. Arvind Kapoor, Distinguished Fellow, Sustainable Agriculture, The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) provided a forward-looking perspective, encouraging the stakeholders to move past basic queries and into actionable policy development. “We must transition from preliminary questions to concrete policy frameworks that remove regulatory bottlenecks for GM crops in India,” he remarked. Dr. Kapoor emphasized the economic motivations behind GM technology adoption, noting, “Farmers are looking for crops that are easier to grow, have lower production costs, and yield higher profits. We must focus on demonstrating that these bioengineered crops are safe.” He pointed out the inconsistency in public perception, saying, “People accept brinjal with multiple chemical sprays, but when we suggest GM solutions to reduce chemical usage, there is opposition.”
The roundtable discussions reinforced the critical role that bioengineered crops could play in India’s agricultural future. As stakeholders across sectors shared their insights, the event underscored the need for a robust policy that leverages technology to enhance food security while addressing economic and environmental challenges.
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