Identifying Genetically Modified (GM) technology as crucial to achieve food security, seeds and pesticide manufacturer Syngenta on Thursday said it is working closely with Indian research organisations to develop GM corn, rice and vegetables seeds.
“GM technology in seeds is a part of the solutions to attain food security and we are working with Indian research institutions on corn, rice and vegetables,” Syngenta Asia Pacific Corporate Affairs Head Andrew McConville told reporters here.
Stating that for the company India is important along with other emerging economies such as Brazil, Russia and China (BRIC countries), Mr McConville said “We are working in collaboration with ICAR and Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), especially in the field of rice.”
Syngenta has a global turnover of around $11.6 billion. It has major presence in 14 countries, particularly in Europe.
Asked about widespread protests over BT Brinjal and other GM crops in India on medical grounds, Mr McConville said “farmers should be given a choice to go for an agricultural practice best suited to them“.
Laying emphasis on the latest bio—tech practices, he said, “More than 25 countries are using GM crop technology. GM corn is very successful in Phillipines...India should not shut its eyes to the technology,” McConville said.