Biotech Updates

India's President Calls for Urgent Need to Dispel Fears Over GM Crops

January 22, 2014

India's President, Sh. Pranab Mukherjee called for greater awareness about genetically modified (GM) crops to address public concerns. He was speaking at a conference of vice chancellors of agricultural universities, directors of ICARs and farmers in Baramati, Maharashtra on 19 Jan 2014.

The president called for an improved awareness and biotech education to allay public concerns on GM crops. The President referred to the benefits that India has got through cultivation of Bt cotton and the wide adoption of GM crops, and he said there was a need to pursue "these new technologies for the benefits they provide." "The development of transgenic crop varieties having the novel trait of insect resistance, herbicide tolerance and hybrid production has led to significant cultivation of GM crops. These crops currently occupy 170 million hectares in 28 developed and developing countries. In India, Bt cotton has boosted production and enhanced export earnings," Sh Mukherjee said.

For a copy of the President's speech, visit http://www.icar.org.in/en/node/7237