India-Russia Conclave on Future of Agriculture + Bt Cotton & GM Food

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BHARATIYA KRISHAK SAMAJ (Indian Farmers’ Organisation) Expand gene bank in India with Russian help : Paroda New Delhi, May 29 : India should follow the cropping pattern in Russia for improving production and productivity said the internationally reputed agri scientist and the former director-general of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Dr RS

Paroda. Speaking at the Russia-India conclave on the future of agriculture jointly organised by Bharatiya Krishak Samaj and Russian Centre of Science and Culture in New Delhi on Friday, Dr Paroda said that the erstwhile Soviet Union was very particular in encouraging cultivation of crops based on comparative competitive advantage. For example cotton was grown in Uzbekistan, Wheat in Kazakhstan and grapes in Ukraine and Georgia. Russia follows the same cropping pattern based on comparative competitive advantage. He said that cotton grown in Uzbekistan has much higher levels of yield than the Bt cotton in India. Wheat grown in Kazakhstan is qualitatively better than that grown in any part of India. Cropping pattern based on comparative competitive advantage also helps in restoring soil health and ecology, he said Dr Paroda lauded the gene bank set up in

St Petersburg in Russia as an unique collection and urged India to expand its gene bank through exchange of germplasm with Russia. Dr Paroda was instrumental in setting up of a gene bank in India during his tenure as DG of ICAR. He said that India should strike special trade agreement with Russia and CIS countries of the erstwhile Soviet Union on agriculture which would be mutually beneficial to both sides. Kazakhstan produces phosphatic fertilizers which can cater to the needs of Indian agriculture. India can export food crops like rice which Russia needs. He said that India and Russia need to have technology transfer agreements. Russia has advanced technology in meat production. The president of Bharatiya Krishak Samaj, Dr Krishan Bir Chaudhary urged for cooperation with Russia for improving the livelihood of Indian farmers in all aspects. The consular of the Russian Embassy in India, Dr Valeriy Popovtsev assured of his

country’s help in improving Indian agriculture and the lifestyle of Indian farmers. The prominent leader of the Congress Party and the member of the Parliament, Oscar Fernandes said that farming in India should be made a viable option for livelihood. Former MP and the leader of the Congress Party, Harikesh Bahadur urged for development of cost-effective technology for use of sea water for irrigation ------------ ‘Be cautious with BT usage in food products’ http://www.financialexpress.com/news/be-cautious-with-bt-usage-in-food-products/468152/ fe Bureau Posted: 2009-05-30 22:25:10+05:30 ISTUpdated: May 30, 2009 at 2225 hrs

IST New Delhi: The new union environment minister Jairam Ramesh in his maiden press meet on Friday said that there has to be clear distinction between use of bio-technology in food and other crops. While acknowledging that use of BT cottonseed has lead to huge increase in cotton production in the country during last 5 years, Ramesh said the government should be cautious in allowing the new technology in the food products. “I am clear that BT cotton and BT brijal are not two similar crops,†he said. “The use of pesticides in cotton crop has definitely reduced not completely stopped as initially claimed by BT companies such as Monsanto,†Ramesh said. “I am sure there has to be rigorous testing of these products prior to its use in food production,†Ramesh said. The government must operationalise the proposed National Bio-Technology Authority so that stringent

checks are followed prior to the use of BT technology, he added. The government is yet to take call on introduction of BT brinjal for commercial cultivation in the country

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