India among top Biotech crop growing nations

By agencies   |   Friday, 13 January 2006, 20:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: A study by International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications today said India has emerged as one the fastest adopters of biotech crops, occupying the seventh slot among 21 nations that have so far planted such crop varieties since their introduction a-decade ago. "India experienced the greatest proportion growth for any biotech crop globally in 2005, with biotech cotton production soaring by 160 percent," ISAAA National Coordinator Bhagirath Choudhary said releasing the 'Global Status on Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2005' report. India displayed the largest proportional growth, nearly three-fold, by planting 1.3 million hectares of Bt Cotton in 2005 as compared to 500,000 hectares in 2004. 14 out of 21 nations growing biotech crops achieved 'mega-country' status by planting 50,000 hectares or more in 2005. The report by ISAA, the global agency working on transfer of agri-biotechnology, also said the growth of biotech crops in developing countries is four times (23 percent) as rapid as industrialized countries (five percent).