Asia Times: Singh throws weight behind use of GM crops


	November 1, 2001	atimes.com

India/Pakistan

Singh throws weight behind use of GM crops

NEW DELHI - Amid controversy sparked by cotton grown in the western Indian state of Gujarat, Federal Agriculture Minister Ajit Singh said he favors the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops to increase productivity, but only after careful trials are held to prevent any impact on the environment or health.

"Genetically modified crops and modern scientific methods can do wonders in stepping up productivity. However, they should only be introduced after proper testing, to ensure there is no harmful effect on the environment, biodiversity and human health," Singh said in New Delhi.

While developed countries such as the United States are reaping the rewards of cultivating genetically modified crops, the fate of cotton grown by farmers in Gujarat is now uncertain because trials are still continuing, he said while inaugurating a seminar on agricultural extension services.

"Other countries are already using BT cotton, but we are still testing it," he noted, adding that science and technology have to play a much greater role in raising productivity.

Singh also said the country's targeted 4 percent growth would be difficult to achieve without enhanced allocation to the country's farming sector in the 10th Plan. Agriculture had for long been paid "lip service" and "we are allocating less money for agriculture in the 10th Plan than that provided in the 9th Plan though we intend to achieve 4 percent growth", Singh said.

The minister said that to enhance productivity and promote crop diversification, funds have to be pumped in for creation of infrastructure such as roads, cold storage, refrigerated transportation and marketing networks. "The corporate sector has to play a big role in providing these physical and knowledge infrastructure," he said, stressing the need for encouraging farmers to diversify into horticulture, floriculture, fishery and poultry from such traditional crops as wheat, rice and cereals.

Singh said the government has fixed higher support prices for scarce crops such as pulses, oilseeds and coarse cereals to raise their level of cultivation.

Favoring contract farming to enable farmers to undertake high-cost farming, he said cooperatives must play a key role in providing farm inputs and marketing the produce.

In his keynote address at the seminar, noted scientist M S Swaminathan said the private sector can play a major role in setting up of computer-aided market information system and giving marketing support to agri-clinics and business centers.

(Asia Pulse/PTI)