'India emerging as significant player in GM crops'
Friday, 10 December 2004, 20:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: India is emerging as a significant player in the $44-billion global genetically modified (GM) crop business and is set to become a "centre of influence" that will help lead development, says a new study. Since the first commercialisation of GM crops in 1996, these are being grown in 18 countries while 45 others are engaged in research and development, according to a study, "The Global Diffusion of Plant Biotechnology: International Adoption and Research in 2004". "The international adoption and diffusion of biotech crops has gone global and is poised to transform production and development around the world," said C. Ford Runge, author of the study and director of the University of Minnesota's Centre for International Food. Of the global trade in GM crop, 98 percent is from five countries -- the US, Argentina, China, Canada and Brazil -- growing one or more of four biotech-enhanced crops: soybeans, cotton, corn and canola. The US leads with $27.5 billion worth of GM crops like soybeans, corn, cotton and canola. Argentina ranks second, handling $8.9 billion worth of soybeans and corn, followed by China with $3.9 billion worth cotton, Canada with $2 billion worth canola, corn and soybeans, and Brazil with $1.6 billion worth soybeans. India has only approved commercial cultivation of insect-resistant cotton, though researchers have conducted field trials on drought-tolerant canola, insect-resistant cotton and tobacco. Further experimental research is being conducted on cabbage, potatoes, rice and tomatoes in India. "We see continuing expansion of commercial and scientific possibilities for plant biotechnology in the next decade and beyond," said Runge. "Major expansions in biotech crop approvals and plantings are expected in Asia, Latin America and parts of Africa." While North America is the epicentre for plant biotechnology research, more than half of the 63 countries engaged in biotech research, development and production are developing countries, the study pointed out. "Western Europe, China, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, Australia and India are centres of influence that will help lead development into the future," said Runge. Besides China, which ranks second after the US in research funding, several other regions are investing heavily in biotech research to improve agricultural production and rural incomes, the study stated. South Africa, which has already approved GM varieties of corn, cotton and soybeans for planting, now ranks sixth in the world in terms of acres planted with biotech varieties. "India, where farmers grow and sell insect-resistant cotton, has at least 20 academic and research institutions involved in plant biotech research covering 16 crops," the study said. In fact, the study highlighted that many Indian scientists hoped to usher in a second green revolution using its knowledge based economy, with GM crops playing a pivotal role.
Source: IANS
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