Now, top farm research institute backs Bt Brinjal
March 2nd, 2010 - 8:05 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, March 2 (IANS) The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), the top government-run research institution, Tuesday supported the introduction of Bt Brinjal and said it will be a step forward in the direction of food security.
“When any new technology comes, we need to have an open mind. If we do not use new technology now, we will stay behind,” IARI director H.S. Gupta told reporters in reply to a question on his institute’s stand on Bt Brinjal.
He said the area under agriculture is almost static for the last 40 years but the population is growing faster. To feed nearly 120 crore people, “we should not miss this technology,” Gupta said.
Squarely blaming Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, Gupta said there should have been a fair consultation with all stake-holders.
He said while the scientists appreciate the environment minister’s consultations with farmers, they should have been consulted equally.
“I am working in the field for 25 years. I believe, I understand it better that many. If the Americans can eat Bt Corn, why cannot we have Bt Brinjal?” he argued.
The IARI is under the ministry of agriculture. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has openly backed Bt Brinjal, which Ramesh has put under temporary moratorium.
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- 'Ban on Bt brinjal hurting Indian scientists' - Jan 26, 2011
- Bt Brinjal moratorium to stay: Ramesh - Feb 24, 2010
- Prime Minister to discuss Bt-brinjal issue - Feb 24, 2010
- India says 'no' to Bt Brinjal, pending scientific tests (Roundup) - Feb 09, 2010
- India says no to Bt Brinjal, pending tests (Second Lead) - Feb 09, 2010
- No question of lifting moratorium on Bt Brinjal: Ramesh - Sep 27, 2010
- Remove misgivings regarding GM crops, says Pawar - Feb 17, 2010
- State chiefs don't want hasty decision on Bt brinjal: Jairam Ramesh - Jan 28, 2010
- Greenpeace says moratorium on Bt Brinjal not a long-term solution - Feb 09, 2010
- No GM crop trials without states' consent: Jairam Ramesh - Mar 09, 2011
- Bt Brinjal safe for humans, says science ministry (Lead) - Jan 19, 2010
- Uncommon furore over common brinjal - Feb 09, 2010
Tags: agricultural research institute, agriculture agriculture, agriculture minister, brinjal, bt corn, consultations, crore, environment minister, food security, iari, indian agricultural research institute, jairam ramesh, ministry of agriculture, moratorium, New Delhi, new technology, research institution, s gupta, sharad pawar, stake holders
