IMDA Calls on Government to Adopt Progressive Farm Policies and New Technologies

Concerned by the mounting uncertainty in the crop biotech sector, the Indian Maize Development Association (IMDA) expressed deep concern over the Government and the regulatory body Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee's (GEAC) recent decision to withdraw field trials of transgenic (Bt and HT) technology in maize. 

"IMDA strongly supports the safety and efficacy of Bt/HT maize and calls for the government to take appropriate steps to avert delay in field testing of innovative and farm friendly products,"  said Dr. Sain Dass, the President of IMDA and former director of ICAR's Directorate of Maize Research (DMR). Since maize is predominantly a rainfed crop, Bt/HT maize technologies will prove a boon to small and marginal farmers where management of weed and nutrients uptake is the most critical component of maize production.

In the past, India suffered a lot in delaying the introduction of Single-Cross Hybrid (SCH) maize technology, which is a farmer and environment friendly technology that promotes farm mechanization in the growing absence of farm labor during the peak crop season. The decision also puts at risk the future success of small and marginal Indian farmers, particularly maize farmers. 

According to the recent International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) report, in 2010 alone, biotech maize has been planted on 46.8 million hectares in 16 maize growing countries including Philippines, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, Argentina, USA, and 8 European countries with established safety. Biotech maize has been used for food-feed purpose for 15 years around the world. This safe technology, especially in the case of a promising crop like maize, must be researched and evaluated for India.

For a copy of a press statement on "India needs progressive farm policies and new technologies to help agriculture and farmers" visit http://www.imdadel.info/ Contact Dr. Sain Dass, President, IMDA at +91-9311291829 or email him at sdass2010@gmail.com.

For more information on biotech developments in India, contact b.choudhary@cgiar.org and k.gaur@cgiar.org.