Commercialize GM
Oilseeds: Experts
Publication: Business Standard (
Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Via: AgBios
Concerned over limited growth of oilseed acreage in the
country, experts have called for commercialising
genetically modified (GM) oilseeds to increase the yield and reduce dependence
on imports.
Speaking at Globeoil 2008, a
global edible oil conference, here on Saturday, T Nandkumar,
secretary, department of agriculture and cooperation, told corporate bodies to
look for agricultural lands abroad as there was limited scope for expanding the
arable land in the country. He asked farmers to adopt science and technology to
increase the oilseed yield.
He added that the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee
(GEAC), a government-appointed body, could possibly permit commercialisation
of GM oilseeds, which are under field trials for several years.
Speaking on the occasion, Forward Markets Commission (FMC)
Chairman B C Khatua said: “Sugarcane farmers must
switch to oilseeds for higher realisation as two
divergent crops can be grown in 18 months, the period taken for the sugarcane
crop to mature. This will not only double the farmers’ income, but also help
the edible oil market.”
Dorab Mistry,
director, Godrej International, said the sooner the permission for commercialisation of GM seeds the better it will be for the
Indian markets.
Mistry further said it is the duty
of the government to protect the interests of the domestic industry. But any
further subsidised imports and supply through the public
distribution system (PDS) may result into lower domestic prices, taking farmers
away from oilseeds in the ensuing rabi
season. Edible oil prices must rise to protect farmers’ interests and prevent
them from switching to other remunerative crops, he added.
Davish Jain, chairman, Central Organisation of Oil, Industry and Trade (COOIT), had
recently urged the government to increase the domestic oilseed output to avoid
any adverse impact of a global change on the domestic demand and supply.
The country consumes about 13 million tonnes
of edible oil each year, of which 5.5 million tonnes
are met through imports. The domestic output of 6.5 million tonnes
of edible oil gets largely impacted with the rise and fall in global prices.
According to an estimate by the ministry of agriculture, the
total area for oilseeds increased marginally by 1.55 lakh
hectares to 179.10 lakh hectares during the current kharif season as against 177.55 lakh
hectares during the corresponding period last year. The acreage is estimated to
result in 6.20 lakh tonnes
of additional oilseed output at 177 lakh tonnes this year compared with 170.80 lakh
tonnes last year.
SOURCE: BUSINESS STANDARD (
agbios.com