Amid ongoing trade talks, the United States has urged India to open its agriculture sector to genetically modified (GM) crops. However, India has firmly drawn a line, declaring agriculture and dairy as “sacrosanct red lines.” Indian officials argue that allowing GM crop imports could pose significant threats to farmer livelihoods, biodiversity, and food safety.
What Are Genetically Modified (GM) Crops
Genetically Modified (GM) crops are plants whose DNA has been altered through modern genetic engineering to develop beneficial traits. These may include:
- Pest resistance
- Drought tolerance
- Faster growth
- Nutritional enhancement
The first commercial GM crop, the Flavr Savr tomato, was introduced in the USA in 1994. According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), by 2019, more than 190 million hectares of GM crops were cultivated by over 17 million farmers across 29 countries.
India’s Regulatory Framework for GM Crops
India has a strict and detailed biosafety regulatory system in place. GM organisms are governed under:
- Environment Protection Act, 1986
- Rules, 1989: These regulate the manufacture, use, import, export, storage, and sale of GMOs.
Key features:
- Applies to GMOs, genetically engineered food products, and emerging gene technologies.
- Covers all stages: research, field trials, commercial release, and post-release monitoring.
Why India Opposes GM Crop Imports
India has consistently opposed the entry of GM crops for the following reasons:
- Farmer Safety: Concerns over seed dependency and impact on traditional agriculture.
- Food Security: Lack of long-term data on health and environmental risks.
- Sovereignty: Resistance to external pressure in shaping agricultural policy.
- Economic Impact: Potential market distortion and risks to small-scale farmers.
Officials stress that agriculture and dairy are essential to national interest, and any move to liberalize them could have irreversible consequences.
India’s firm stand reflects its commitment to safeguarding its agricultural base, food sovereignty, and rural economy. As trade negotiations continue, the government maintains that GM crops are not merely a technological issue but a matter of national importance.
