The need for the application of new technologies to increase farm output and seed yields, including genetically modified crops, was discussed at a seminar on ‘Technology as a Driver for Agriculture Growth,’ organised by Ficci here today.
Several speakers, including officials from seed manufacturing companies and agriculture scientists, were strongly in favour of encouraging genetically modified (GM) crops to raise productivity.
Dr P. Anand Kumar, Project Director of National Research Centre on Plant Biotechnology, ICAR, said the Indian agriculture sector should incorporate corporate, conservation and organic farming, beside GM crops on an equal footing. “People look suspiciously at GM crops. These are eco-friendly solution and can be integrated into organic farming,” he pointed out.
BT cotton
The introduction of BT cotton had resulted in a net economic benefit of $225 per hectare and increased average yield by 24 per cent.
Focussing on maize production, Mr Dheeraj Pant, Director-Regulatory Affairs, Monsanto, said India’s maize productivity at present stands at 2.53 tonnes a hectare, almost 50 per cent of the world average of 5 tonnes a hectare and one-fourth of that in US (10 tonnes a hectare).
It is estimated that the domestic demand for maize will touch 30 million tonnes by 2020, which means the country will have to produce an additional 11 million tonnes by that year. “Biotechnology can help double the current productivity. Through use of biotechnology, we can save 10-20 per cent losses due to insects and 30-60 per cent losses caused by weeds, translating into additional 5.6 million tonnes of maize,” Mr Pant said.
He said Monsanto’s efforts to develop new BT maize were stymied, as the company could not conduct trials due to State Governments not giving no-objection certificates.
Mr Ram Kaundinya, Chairman of the Association of Biotechnology-led Enterprises , said there was a “paralysis” of policy and support to GM crops by the Government, which was “unfortunate” for Indian agriculture.