Introduce GM oilseed crops in India - Solvent and Extractors Association

Published 2021년 12월 18일

Tridge summary

The Solvent and Extractors Association of India (SEA) has called on the Indian government to approve genetically modified (GM) oilseed crops and to replace grains with oilseeds in northern India. The SEA believes that GM crops like soybean could double yield compared to current practices. The organization also suggested converting wheat-growing areas in northern India to mustard-growing areas to help recharge the water table and diversify agriculture. However, the introduction of new GM crops in India has been slow due to the lack of field trial approvals.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The Solvent and Extractors Association of India (SEA), the country's leading body of edible oil manufacturers, importers, and processors, has demanded that genetically modified oilseed crops be introduced in the country. In its pre-budget consultation with the Centre, the organization also advocated for the substitution of grains for oilseeds in northern India. Cotton is now the sole GM crop permitted for production in the nation. The introduction of additional GM crops has long been a desire from numerous farm organizations, but the government has refused to approve field trials of any such crop. According to Atul Chaturvedi, president of SEA, the country's per-acre production of soyabean is low, at 800-1,000 tonnes per hectare. Whereas GM soyabean offers yield as high as 3-4 tonnes per hectare, he added. "Even if the government continues to raise the Minimum Support Price (MSP) on a year-on-year basis, it will not result in significant gains for farmers. Technology will help ...

Source: Krishi Jagran