‘US firms to blame for opposition to GM crops’

Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday blamed companies in countries with GM technology-driven agriculture, like the United States, for the opposition to GM crops in India, adding that they don't want the country to be self-sufficient in food, especially oils.

"In the US, the entire soyabean production is done with genetically modified (GM) technology. India has to import edible oils worth Rs 60,000 crore. There is growing opposition to GM technology here, though it helps to increase productivity as is evident from our cotton experience. You have adopted GM in your country but you don't let that happen in India. This is not proper and it is alarming," said Pawar.

The NCP president, who is on a three-day Vidarbha tour, also pointed out flaws in the MGNREGS as well as the food security and land acquisition amendment Bills.

"MGNREGS is affecting labour availability for farming. Similarly, extending food security to 57 per cent population will inflate the subsidy bill beyond manageable proportions, apart from affecting work culture," he said.

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