By Femi Akinola
Farmers in India have kicked against entry of genetically modified crops (GMOs) into the country and they resolved they will continue to oppose it with all what they have now and in future.
The farmers, who have blocked entry of GMO crops into the country for 22 years now, noted that such varieties were unsafe and unwanted by them.
Over 90 farmer leaders from 18 states across the country recently converged for a national summit on GMOs and its effect on the environment, human and animal.
Kapil Shah, a farmer leader from Gujarat part of the country pointed out at the challenges of using GMO seeds saying, ” They said GMO seeds would do away the need to use insecticides and the crops would not be susceptible to mealybug, whitefly and bollwarm attacks.
”In reality, the use of insecticides has increased manifold as insectattacks are common, so much so that it has made cotton cultivation economically unviable.”
According to Shah, he said 91% of the area under GMO crops was in the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada and India noting that in India, only Bt Virgin is allowed while the other four countries useGM soybean, canola and maize.
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In their own contribution during the summit, farmer leaders, Kavita Kurungati and KT Gangahar, said the current government in the country should hold consultations before finalising a natuional policy on GMO crops.
The nation’s Supreme Court had recently asked the ministry to evolve a national policy on GMO crops.
Another farmer leader, Rakesh Tikait, spoke about the future of Bt cotton and even how domestic animals avoid going to Bt cotton field to graze sensing high chemicals, besides its overall impact on biological cycle. Tikait advocated the need for taking to organic farming rather than the GMOs.
Agriculture expert, Denvinder Sharma, said farmer leaders from across the country were unanimous in their opinion that GMO crops would not be llowed in the country and that unanimity among farmers was encourging. He also said, ”GM crops affect environment and animal health.”
Meanwhile, the farmer leaders stand up against the move by the ministry. They chorused saying, ”What we need is a biosafety policy, not policy on GMO crops.” In 2009, public consultations were held by the then Congress government and the introduction of Bt brinjal crop was stalled,” they said.
During the summit, a resolution to this effect was signed by all the farmer leaders numbering over 90 farmer from 18 states on the environment, trade of goods, agricultural diversity, human and animal health, they were unanimous in their opposition to such crops.
They said their resolution would be given to Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Chaange, Bhupendra Yadav.
