- India’s agricultural future critically depends on adopting and scaling genetic technologies such as genetically modified (GM) crops. While other nations have moved ahead, India’s biotech growth has stalled due to regulatory, political, and institutional hurdles.
GM Crop Adoption in India
- Approved Crop: Only Bt cotton has been officially approved since 2002.
- Adoption Rate: ~96% of India’s cotton area under Bt cotton (2023).
- Scale: Covers ~11.9 million hectares, making India the 5th largest GM adopter globally.
- Economic Impact: Estimated ₹90,000+ crore additional farmer income (2002–2022).
- Regulatory Stagnation: No GM food crops approved despite years of field trials.
Need for Genetic Technology in Indian Agriculture
- Yield Enhancement: India’s average cereal yield (~3.4 t/ha) lags behind global average (~4.1 t/ha), requiring genetic crop improvement.
- Climate Resilience: Over 50% of India’s farmland is rainfed, making drought and flood-tolerant varieties critical for food security.
- Pest Shield: Pests cause 15–25% crop loss annually. E.g., GM cotton reduced damage by up to 80%.
- Nutritional Security: 35.5% of Indian children are stunted; biofortified crops like iron-rich pearl millet can reduce malnutrition.
- Agrochemical Drop: India consumes 0.6 kg pesticides/ha; pest-resistant crops cut chemical use and farmer costs.
Why Did India Fail to Keep Up with the World?
- Regulatory Paralysis: No commercial release of any GM food crop since Bt cotton (2002). Bt brinjal (approved 2009) and GM mustard (DMH-11) (approved 2022) are still not commercially cultivated.
- Restrictive Policies: Seed Price Control Order (2015) caps prices and royalties, disincentivising innovation, and mandatory tech transfers reduce private R&D incentives.
- Regulatory Hurdles: Persistent court cases and public resistance to GM crops; the government has often yielded to non-scientific activism.
- Fragmented Governance: Lack of coordination between GEAC, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the States. Regulatory delays discourage both foreign & domestic investment.
- Unregulated Farming: HT-Bt cotton grown illegally in ~15–25% of cotton areas. No biosafety assessment or traceability in these cases.
Implications
- Lost Early Lead: Once a biotech pioneer, India fell behind countries like Bangladesh (Bt brinjal adoption).
- Cotton Trade Reversal: Exports plunged after 2011–12; by 2024–25, India became a net cotton importer (~₹0.4 billion).
- Trade Frictions: GM resistance hampers market access in negotiations with developed nations.
Key Concerns & Constraints
- Health Concerns: Fears of allergic reactions and long-term unknown health impacts persist among consumers.
- Environmental Risks: GM crops may lead to biodiversity loss & the emergence of pesticide resistance.
- Economic Impact: High GM seed costs have contributed to farmer debt and rural distress.
- Corporate Control: The dominance of multinationals like Monsanto raises concerns about farmer autonomy over seed; further, it can lead to IPR issues. E.g., the Pepsi case (Potato PV-2027).
Suggestive Measures
- Enhance Pest Management: Strengthen Integrated Pest Management (IPM) through scientific monitoring and comprehensive farmer training programs.
- Mandate Buffer Zones: Create compulsory non-Bt buffer zones to delay the evolution of pest resistance.
- Boost Climate-Resilient Research: Promote Indian research institutes to develop cotton varieties resilient to climate change.
- Approval Transparency: Adopt a clear, science-based GM approval system.
- Farmer Protection: Offer financial incentives and crop insurance to protect farmers against biotech-related risks.
India’s agricultural future relies on embracing advanced genetic technologies to improve productivity and climate resilience. Strong regulation, farmer empowerment, and transparent science-based policies are key to reclaiming India’s biotech leadership.
Reference: Indian Express
PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 286
Q. To what extent has India’s regulatory and institutional framework hindered the adoption and growth of genetic technologies in agriculture? Discuss its implications on food security and suggest the policy framework for this. (250 Words) (15 Marks)
Approach
- Introduction: Write briefly about the genetic technologies such as GM crop and gene editing.
- Body: Write reason for the hindered adoption and growth of genetic technologies, implication on food security and suggest the policy framework.
- Conclusion: Emphasis on clear, transparent, and science-based regulatory framework to accelerate genetic technology adoption.
