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GENETIC MODIFICATION
This page provides vital information for Indian citizens on the science of genetically modified crops including Bt brinjal, particularly in the context of the 10 June civil disobedience program by farmers ( #KisanSatyagraha) (posters used) (Full record of the movement)
2-PAGE HANDOUT: PDF | WORD VERSION
STRONG SUPPORT BY EMINENT PEOPLE: PDF | WORD VERSION
RECENT ARTICLES BY SANJEEV SABHLOK IN HIS TIMES OF INDIA BLOG
The 2010 moratorium on Bt brinjal must go before 10 June 2019, 24 May 2019
Yes, there is evidence that Bt brinjal is 100 per cent safe (Part I) | (Part II), 6 June 2019 [Combined Word document – the original article, here
Civil Disobedience in Akot, Akola, 11 June 2019
What’s behind the science denial of anti-GM activists? 15 June 2019 [See also dossier against Vandana Shiva]
If Mr Modi wants to double farmers’ incomes, he must first promote biotechnology – 19 June 2019
Addressing Kavitha Kuruganti’s second article against GM crops – 21 June 2019
Why the precautionary principle is bad policy – 23 July 2019
India’s GM regulatory model needs a complete overhaul – 22 July 2019
Designing India’s new GM regulatory system from first principles – 4 August 2019
KEY TECHNICAL INFORMATION REGARDING BT-PROTEIN SAFETY
a) Regulatory validation/ approval of Bt brinjal
Indian regulator’s validation of Bt brinjal safety (GEAC minutes, 2009) (short PDF document)
Bt Cotton – Questions and Answers (2012) by K.R.Kranthi (NOTE: Bt Cotton was approved in 2002 in India, the farmers’ current demand is for Herbicide Tolerant Bt Cotton)
Bangladesh government’s confirmation of safety of Bt brinjal (Bangladesh approved Bt brinjal in 2013)
A scientific critique of the Indian moratorium by C. Kameswara Rao (PDF document)
Success Story on Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh – Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions, Bangkok, 66 pages PDF document, 2018 [Alternative server] [Summary of regulatory approval process]
Bt Eggplant Project in Bangladesh: History, Present Status, and Future Direction – Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Bt eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) in Bangladesh: Fruit production and control of eggplant fruit and shoot borer (Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee), effects on non-target arthropods and economic returns (PLOS ONE)
Twitter debate between CS Prakash and Kavitha Kuruganti
A 2010 article that expresses huge concern at the politicisation of Bt brinjal science in India
b) Strong support by Environmental Protection Agency, USA
Environmental Protection Agency (USA)’s validation of Bt-protein safety (PDF document).
c) Analysis in 2016 of 900 studies by National Academy of Sciences
See the press release: “The committee concluded that no differences have been found that implicate a higher risk to human health safety from foods than from their non-GE counterparts,”
d) The reason the studies that allegedly find “harms” are IRRELEVANT
In brief, Bt proteins (insecticidal crystal proteins) are safe to human beings, other mammals and all other non-target organisms. Vast body of scientific information is available on this aspect. (Bacillus thuringiensis: Biology, Ecology and Safety by Travis R. Glare and Maureen O’Callaghan, 2000. Wiley; ISBN: 978-0-471-49630. The biosafety of the product of Cry 1Ac gene that is present in Bt brinjal has been thoroughly proven by half a century of research. Only those studies that involve the purified product of the gene are relevant in the discussion of the safety of Bt brinjal for consumption. Studies that use the whole cells of Bacillus thuringiensis, not just the Cry 1Ac gene, but some 120 pesticidal genes, are NOT VALID. In such cases all the contents and products of the bacteriual cells and or spores, including those of the cell walls get involved, are studied in a combined manner, but any of them can have an adverse effect. Unless the products are isolated, purified and tested for effects on human system they cannot be taken as an evidence. Hundreds of compounds whose individual effects are not known cannot be used simultaneously in a scientific evaluation. But even whole cells are generally safe in small quantities – Bt cells containing crystal proteins and spores have been in use even in organic farming for a century without any reported harmful effect. [See critique of the Mezzomo et al study]
e) Also see these documents/ video to understand better:
India needs genetic modification technology in agriculture – by 17 Indian scientists in Current Science, August 2019 (PDF)
Brief: The Developmnet and Regulation of Bt Brinjal in India – Bhagirath Choudhary and Kadambini Gaur (PDF, 119 pages)
Bt-brinjal (eggplant) – Some clarifications (Word document by TN Manjunath)
Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh: The First Genetically Engineered Food Crop in a Developing Country – PDF- book chapter
The Status of Commercialised Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh (PDF).
And these International Service for the Acquistion of Agri-biotech Applications handouts (PDF): in Hindi | in Marathi (in other languages)
On this topic of Bt brinjal, this video is worth watching from 3 minutes 10 seconds:
And this:
Also see: Know the Reason Behind Bt Brinjal’s Popularity in Bangladesh – Krishjagran
On HT Bt cotton, see this:
RESOURCES ON GM CROPS FOR THE PEOPLE OF INDIA
List of approved GMOs across the world
Area of Commercial GM Crops by Country (2015)
All major science organisatsions and international organisations support GMOs, e.g. World Health Organisation
SCIENCE OF GM
An excellent introduction in Nature journal: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Transgenic Crops and Recombinant DNA Technology
Role of transgenic Bt-crops in promoting biological control and integrated pest management -T.M.Manjunath (PDF). See also Word document: Selected publications of T M. Manjunath on Transgenic Crops
Q&A on Bt-Cotton in India: Answers to more than 85 questions (PDF)- by T.M. Manjunath
COMMON MYTHS ABOUT GMOs AND WHY THEY ARE INCORRECT
GM Crops: Perception vs Reality by T. M. Manjunath & K. S. Mohan (short PDF booklet)
GM plants: Questions and answers – by the UK Royal Society (PDF document)
Strongest opponents of GM foods know the least but think they know the most – The Guardian, 15 January 2019
Important video: Television debate (2000) between Vandana Shiva and C.S. Prakash (including the transcript and analysis)
Misinformation is the only poison: the end of the Seralini Affair? – Gminfo.eu
Scientific Answers to Fears about GMOs: Safe, Nutritious, and Demonized
The Debate About GMO Safety Is Over, Thanks To A New Trillion-Meal Study [The field data represented more than 100 billion animals covering a period before 1996 when animal feed was 100% non-GMO, and after its introduction when it jumped to 90% and more. The documentation included the records of animals examined pre and post mortem, as ill cattle cannot be approved for meat. What did they find? That GM feed is safe and nutritionally equivalent to non-GMO feed.]
Opposed to G.M.O.s? How Much Do You Know About Them? [People who are the most extremely opposed to genetically modified organisms tend to know the least about them, the study found].
A 2014 change.org petition that contains valuable info (“Please allow scientific field testing of GM crops in India”)
Support High-Yielding GE Mustard Technology!!
Use of Brinjal in Alternative Systems of Medicine in India – C Kameswara Rao (2011) – PDF
When scientists turn against science: exceptionally flawed analysis of plant breeding technologies – Deepak Pental, Current Science, 25 September 2019
GENERAL ARTICLES IN THE PRESS REGARDING GM CROPS
India’s GM crop success (This talks about Bt cotton) – by Bjørn Lomborg
GM crops in India: Products in the pipeline as of 2012 – T.M. Manjunath (PDF) Also see this FAO list.
The science is in: GM crops will save the world – by Rachel Cunliffe
If you care about the future of our planet, here’s why you should support GMOs
A protester’s change of heart sheds light on the public’s reservations about genetic engineering (Review of the book Seeds of Science by Mark Lynas, who changed from an anti-GM activist to a pro-GM activist)
The legal battle over field trials of GM crops – Shashi Kumar, Raj K. Bhatnagar, Keshab R. Kranthi, Swapan K. Datta
DISCUSSION ABOUT GM CROPS IN POPULAR MAGAZINES
Time | Scientific American | New York Times
Why People Oppose GMOs Even Though Science Says They Are Safe – Scientific American, 18 August 2015
HOW GENTETIC ENGINEERING CAN DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE HUMAN NUTRITION
Nutrient Biofortification of Staple Food Crops: Technologies, Products and Prospects – by Chavali Kameswara Rao1 and Seetharam Annadana (PDF)
HOW GM ENHANCES BIO-DIVERSITY
Bt and related technologies can be introduced into any variety or hybrid, just like the Intel chip can go into any laptop or PC. So if a variety or a hybrid of brinjal was not being actively used by farmers previously because of its susceptibility to stem borers, with Bt it can be revived because it may have other beneficial traits. Therefore more varieties and hybrids of brinjal can be produced, giving farmers and consumers a diversity of choice. Many traditional varieties have been actually lost due to minor adverse traits, such as their inability to fight BLB, Bacterial Sheath Blight, Tungro virus, blast or those susceptible to pests or had high lodging characterstics. Genetic engineering can breed out these weaknesses, allowing many forgotten varieties to be revived. In addition, overall ecological biodiversity is enhanced through intense farming which increases productivity and reduces the need to cut down of forests that would otherwise convert into agriculture. In this regard see Chapter III on Biodiversity. This means that biological control agents (parasitoids and predators) are also diversified and can play an enhanced role in pest control (especially sucking pests) due to drastic reduction in spraying chemical insecticides. Several scientific references are available on the role of Bt crops in promoting biocontrol and integrated pest management.
For instance, prior to Bt cotton, there were only a handful of cotton hybrids. Now, there are 1065 Bt cotton varieties provided by 65 seed companies. Due to reduced pesticide usage, there is now much greater biodiversity even of natural predators.
Farmers’ direct experience: Ravichandran Vanchinathan, a farmer of Bt cotton has reported this: “In the non Bt cotton era, I used to spray chemicals at least twice a week, including to control boll worms. The pesticide industry were monetarily rewarded by boll worms while farmers harvested frustration. These chemicals eradicated all insect predators like lady bird beetle, spiders, dragon fly, crysopa. Honeybees were also eliminated. Now I spray just twice, that too to control the sucking pest. As a result, today I see lot of honeybees humming and ladybird beetle fluttering in my field. Thus I’m satisfied that by growing Bt cotton I am able to maintain the biodiversity in my field.” And see another farmer’s perspective, here (farmer GS Mann).
HUGE BENEFITS OF GM TO INDIAN FARMERS
How Bt Cotton Transformed Cotton Farming In India [In 2002, India had a world production share of 12%, by 2015 it was 25%, making India the largest producer of the crop in the world. In 2002 India exported no cotton. Today it exports 25% of its production]
Bt-cotton: It is time to stop the false allegations!
INFORMATION ON ORGANIC CROPS IN INDIA
Facts About Organic Agriculture That Many Do Not Know! – S Ganesan, Crop Care Federation of India
WIDESPREAD “ILLEGAL” USE OF GM SEEDS IN INDIA
Types of Bt seeds being planted across India
NEWREPORTS ON THE AKOLA (AKOT VILLAGE) CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
Prior to the discovery of “illegal” Bt brinjal in Haryana
India gives go-ahead to GM crops – New Scientist, 28 March 2002
Pro-GM farmers stage protest near Parliament – DowntoEarth, 4 July 2015
Environment ministry will address contentious issues in “scientific” manner: Harsh Vardhan – 22 May 2017
What greater crisis do you want in our agriculture?, asks Deepak Pental – The Hindu, 7 June 2017
Allegations against Monsanto of ‘unsafe’ Bt products and ‘health risks’ are blatantly inaccurate – Firstpost 3 November 2017
Anti-GMO Lobby Has No Scientific Rationale To Stand On. It’s Time We Listened To Our Scientists – Swarajya Magazine, 16 February 2019
Monsanto patent victory seen as a boost for biotech investment in India – Reuters, 8 January 2019
Monsanto won patent victory over GM cotton seeds in India – Financial World, 10 January 2019
‘Why I’m Quitting GMO Research’ – The Wire 29 March 2018
Prior to the civil disobedience
Illegal cultivation of Bt brinjal suspected in Haryana – Deccan Herald 25 April 2019
Haryana’s Bt brinjal row: Govt must allow farmers to have access to technologies in agriculture to dissuade illegal use of seeds – FirstPost, 13 May 2019
No one taken ill by my Bt brinjal, says Haryana farmer. Experts say it’s safe, legalise it – ThePrint, 14 May 2019
Farmers — not activists — prove the case for genetically modified brinjal – Economic Times, 21 May 2019
Discovery of Bt brinjal in a Haryana farmer’s field underlines lax regulation of India’s GM crops – Scroll.in 26 May 2019
Why Bt Brinjal Is a Hit in Bangladesh – The Wire, 26 May 2019
Farmers to defy ban on use of HTBT cotton: To plant genetically modified variant publicly on June 10 – Economic Times, 28 May 2019
These Indian farmers are using Whatsapp and Facebook to demand GM seeds technology – Theprint, 30 May 2019
Illegally grown GM aubergines highlight India’s continuing ambivalence to transgenic crops – Royal Societey of Chemistry, 30 May 2019
India must adopt stricter regulation of genetically engineered crops, or face biosecurity breach – Firstpost, 5 June 2019
Seek freedom from norms that restrict farmer access to tech – The Free Press Journal, 6 June 2019
Farmers body plans to defy ban on GM brinjal, cotton – Times of India, 8 June 2019 [Image]
Thousands to risk jail, Rs 1 lakh fine at world’s first farmer stir in favour of GM crops, The Print, 8 June 2019
Bt Brinjal: Activists slam regulatory body for inaction against illegal cultivation, Down To Earth, 7 June 2019
The hurricane of Bt brinjal (in Marathi, by Ajit Narde)
Maha ‘satyagraha’ in support of Haryana farmers harassed for growing GM crops – The Tribune, 9 June 2019
Don’t penalise farmers for pro-GM crop protest, address their concerns instead – ThePrint 9 June 2019
Maharashtra farmers to sow GM brinjal, cotton seeds to defy ban – Livemint 9 June 2010
5,000 farmers in Maharashtra to sow genetically modified seeds of brinjal, cotton to protest ban on such crops – Firstpost, 9 June 2019
Maharashtra Farmers to Protest Ban on GM Crops, Plant Bt Cotton and Brinjal – The Wire, 10 June 2010
M crops: Maha farmers to hold satyagraha today – The Tribune 10 June 2019
GM Crops: Centre Should Restructure GEAC, Order Detailed Study On Food Safety, Swarajya magazine 10 June 2019 [By Executive Editor]
Report in the Pioneer (PDF) 10 June 2019
After the civil disobedience
Defying Law, Indian Farm Group Says It Planted Unapproved GM Cotton Seeds, New York Times 10 June 2019 [NY Times has since removed the article. But there is still proof that it carried it. The text of that article].
Defying law: Indian farm group says it planted unapproved genetically modified cotton seeds – Economic Times 10 June 2019
Ryots sow seeds of defiance – The Hindu 10 June 2019
Indian farmers plant GMO seeds in civil disobedience ‘satyagraha’ protest – Alliance for Science, Cornell University, 10 June 2019
Maharashtra farmers defy ban to plant GM cotton – Hindu Business Line, 10 June 2019
‘Don’t want subsidies, just tech’: Farmers plant GM cotton in Maharashtra, defy crop ban – ThePrint, 10 June 2019
Maha farmers protest GM crop ban, sow Bt cotton, brinjal – PTI news, 10 June 2019
A farmer satyagraha for permission-less innovation – Shruti Rajagopalan, LiveMint, 11 June 2019.
‘Civil disobedience’: Group says it planted unapproved GM cotton seeds – Business Standard, 10 June 2019
Maha farmers protest GM crop ban, sow Bt cotton, brinjal – Business Standard, 10 June 2019
‘Maharashtra farmers will fight ban on GM seeds’ – Business Standard 11 June 2019
Defying Ban, Farmers in Maharashtra Protest by Sowing Bt Cotton – The Wire, 11 June 2019
1,500 farmers defy GM crop ban – Mumbai Mirror, 11 June 2019
Maharashtra farmers defy ban, plant HT cotton in Akot – Financial Express 11 June 2019
Why govt’s GM policy defers logic, hurts farmers – Financial Express, 11 June 2019. Editorial
Farmers demand herbicide-resistant Bt cotton seeds in Maharashtra – The Telegraph, 11 June 2019
Agriculture Department raids Shetkari Sanghatana leader’s house – The Hindu 11 June 2019
‘Civil disobedience’ in Maharashtra: Farmers launch protest seeking govt nod to GM crops – Indian Express 11 June 2019
‘Maharashtra farmers will fight ban on GM seeds’ – Outlook, 11 June 2019
Maharashtra farmer defies govt, sows illegal GM seeds – Times of India, 11 June 2019
War over HT Bt cotton: Officials collect seed samples from farmers in Akola – Financial Express 11 June 2019
Protest against Centre’s ban on GM crops gains momentum – Hindu Business Line, 11 June 2019
10% of India’s 12.2 million cotton hectares came from illegal GMO seeds in 2018 – Genetic Literacy Project, 11 June 2019
Maharashtra farmers’ group agitates for ‘freeing’ GM seeds, but illegal varieties are rampant in India – Firstpost, 11 June 2019
Maharashtra farmers’ union defies govt ban, sows GM brinjal, cotton – Cocengis, 11 June 2019
HTBT cotton widely cultivated despite ban, finds Central team – Hindu Business Line, 12 June 2019
Cops reach farm for HT seed, return empty handed – Times of India 12 June 2019
Centre asks Maharashtra govt to investigate illegal cultivation of Bt cotton – Financial Express, 12 June 2019
Despite ban, Indian farmers plant HTBT cotton; experts blame nexus between politicians, seed firms behind availability of illegal crop – Firstpost, 13 June 2019
Maharashtra farmers’ body to sow HT Cotton to defy ban on GM crops – Financial Express 13 June 2019
2 more Maharashtra farmers sow GM cotton, say it’s their ‘civil disobedience movement’ – ThePrint, 13 June 2019
A “Surgical Strike” by farmers (in Marathi) – Agrovan, Sakal, 14 June 2019
Probe sowing of banned GM seeds by farmers in Akola, Centre tells Maharashtra – The Hindu, 14 June 2019
Centre asks Maharashtra government to submit detailed report on banned GM cotton cultivation – Mumbai Mirror 14 June 2019
रोक के बावजूद एचटीबीटी कपास की बुवाई करने पर अड़े महाराष्ट्र के किसान – Outlook Hindi 14 June 2019
Indian Farmers Launch Civil Disobedience Campaign to Secure Access to GM Seeds – Information Technology & Innovation Foundation, 14 June 2019
Unapproved Sowing of Genetically Modified Crops – Drishti IAS academy 14 June 2019
Officials conducts raids, seize Bt cotton seeds from farmers – Financial Express, 15 June 2019
Clear the air on GMO – Hindu Businesssline 16 June 2019
Dispelling falsehoods about GM crops – Financial Express, 17 June 2019
Indian farmers escalate civil disobedience campaign to sow GMO seeds – Cornell Alliance for Science, 17 June 2019
INDISCHE BAUERN PROTESTIEREN FÜR NACHHALTIGE LANDWIRTSCHAFT – Salonkolumnisten, 17 June 2019 – English translation here.
Maharashtra farmers intensify drive against ban on GM crops – Hindu BusinessLine 17 June 2019
मान्यता नसलेल्या ‘एचटीबीटी’ कापूस बियाण्यांची पेरणी – Lokmat, 17 June 2019
GM cotton: what is allowed, what farmers sowed – Indian Express, 18 June 2019
‘Azadi, Tantragyaan Ki Azadi’: Why Farmers Want Technology Rights – The Quint, 18 June 2019
Are concerns over genetically modified brinjals genuine? – Times Now, 18 June 2019
Modi Government Faces Hobson’s Choice Over Farmers’ Demand To Grow Third-Generation Genetically-Modified Cotton – Swarajya Magazine 18 June 2019
Strict action will be taken against firm selling unapproved cotton seeds: Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Khot – Business Standard, 18 June 2019
Serious concerns over Bt brinjal – The Hindu, 18 June 2019
To support farmers, India should promote consumer acceptance of GMO crops – Genetic Literacy Project, Financial Express, 19 June 2019
GM cotton crop technology: The cost of weeding – Indian Express, 20 June 2019
GM Crops: Boon or Bio-hazard? – India Today 20 June 2019
In a First, Possession of Banned Cotton Seed Lands Farmer in Police Custody – The Wire 20 June 2019
Maharashtra: farmers sow HT cotton to protest ban on GM crops – Business Standard, 20 June 2019
Inside India’s genetic crop battlefield – Sayantan Bera, Livemint 20 June 2019
Maharashtra slaps notice on farmers sowing HTBT seeds, arrests one – BusinessLine 20 June 2019
शेतकरी संघटनेने केली HTBT बियाण्याची लागवड; तंत्रज्ञान स्वातंत्र्य सत्याग्रहात हजारो शेतकरी सहभागी – AM News 20 June 2019
Maharashtra Farmers Sow ‘Prohibited’ HT Cotton to Protest Ban on Genetically Modified Crops – News18, 21 June 2019
Now, Maharashtra’s women farmers plan to defy GM ban, get ready to plant Bt cotton seeds – ThePrint – 21 June 2019
Maharashtra farmers conduct symbolic sowing of banned HTBT cotton despite warning – Financial Express 21 June 2019
Crops of wrath – Why are farmers turning rebels – Cogensis, 21 June 2019
How India can cope with climate change effects – Hindu Businessline 21 June 2019
Bt eggplant, Bangladesh’s first GMO crop, controls ‘vicious’ fruit and shoot borer pest, boosts farmer profit sixfold – Genetic Literacy Project, 21 June 2019
Desperate farmers switching to illegal GM crops – Hindustan Times, 23 June 2019
From Plate to Plough: A farm question for Modi 2.0 – Indian Express 24 June 2019
Explained: Modi’s Bt cotton connection and why his govt needs to wake up on GMO – Financial Express, 24 June 2019
Maha farmers’ GM crop protest reopens debate – Times of India 24 June 2019 Mumbai edition
Female farmers join protests in India demanding access to GMO herbicide-tolerant cotton – Genetic Literacy Project, 24 June 2019
Pro-GM seed movement spreads to 11 districts in Maharashtra, bail of Buldhana farmer rejected – 25 June 2019
Pro-GMO farmers’ movement gets more political support – Sirf News, 25 June 2019 – Editorial
Maharashtra farmer activists plan trials of cotton varieties – Financial Express 25 June 2019
Farmers’ body fields lawyer for arrested Buldhana ryot – Times of India 25 June 2019
Maharashtra govt begins crackdown on farmers planting illegal GM cotton – The Tribune, 25 June 2019
Defying ban, farmers’ ‘pro-GM seed’ movement spreads to 11 districts in Maharashtra – Money Control, 25 June 2019
Akola District Authorities to File FIR against organisers of event to plant Ht Bt Cotton – Indian Express, 25 June 2019
More Maharashtra farmers demand GM seeds: Is Indian policy dictated by politics or science? – Theprint, 25 June 2019
Women farmers take lead in India’s pro-GMO ‘seed satyagraha’ movement – Cornell Alliance for Science, 25 June 2019
BKS seeks action against use of illegal Bt seeds – Economic Times, 25 June 2019
20 Shetkari activists booked for planting unapproved HT cotton seeds – Times of India, 26 June 2019
FIRs against 12 Maharashtra farmers for illegally sowing Bt Cotton – Business Standard 26 June 2019
Criminal case against farmers for planting GM cotton seeds – MidDay 26 June 2019
Panel to inspect Bt brinjal ‘sowing’ in Haryana farms – Indian Express 26 June 2019
FIRs against farmers for illegally sowing HTBt Cotton – SirfNews 26 June 2019
Farmers guilty in case of illegal GM seeds, but so is govt – Financial Express 26 June 2019
They want GM crops: Farmers’ revolt is the outcome of a decade long political paralysis, which must end – Times of India, 26 June 2019, Editorial
Maharashtra farmers gear up for jail bharo protest – Hindu Business Line 26 June 2019
Maharashtra farmers find support in BJP MP for movement against GM crop ban – Theprint 26 June 2019
Demand to lift ban on HTBT cotton grows stronger – DNA India 26 June 2019
Around 20-25 lakh hectares likely to come under HT Bt cotton cultivation – Financial Express 27 June 2019
केंद्र सरकारच्या पर्यावरण संरक्षण कायदा १९८६ नुसार सरकारने मंजूर न केलेली बियाणे वापरणे हा गुन्हा ठरतो – Lok Satta 27 June 2019 (A strong defence of the farmers, underscoring the need for biotechnology in agriculture. The author Girish Kuber, is the editor of this newspaper.)
Satyagraha for GM technology: Who will compensate farmers for losses? – Financial Express, 27 June 2019
Farmers in Maharashtra Ready for Jail Bharo Protest; Police is Filing Cases – Krishijagran, 27 June 2019
Left or Right, genetic science unites all luddites – LiveMint 28 June 2019
Farmers to defy govt. ban on GM crops – The Hindu 28 June 2019
Govt right to arrest farmers who plant illegal GM seeds, but what about its own role? – Financial Express 29 June 2019 [by Sunil Jain, Managing Editor]
Dogma must not trump science on GM seeds – SundayGuardian Live, 29 June 2019
Farmers at their wits’ end over fake seeds – The Hindu, 29 June 2019 – bad regulation means fake seeds are flourishing
Farmers, technology and freedom of choice: A tale of two satyagrahas – Times of India, 30 June 2019
Farmers plant unapproved GM cotton seeds against govt apathy over approving technology; what is the way out? – First Post, 2 July 2019
Only Bt. Cotton is approved GM Crop: Narendra Singh Tomar – Economic Times 2 July 2019
‘HTBt cotton grown illegally in 3 states’ – Times of India 3 July 2019
What’s the fuss over the new variety of GM cotton that farmers are batting for – ThePrint 3 July 2019
Maharashtra farmers continue to sow banned HT cotton – The Hindu Businessline, 4 July 2019
Haryana joins ‘movement’ to defy GM crop ban, farmers get ready to sow HT cotton seeds – ThePrint, 4 July 2019
Hisar farmers to defy ban, plant GM cotton today – Times of India, 5 July 2019
Haryana farmers defy govt restriction, sow banned HT Bt cotton in Hisar, Indian Express, 5 July 2019
Farmers defy ban, sow GM crop in Haryana, The Hindu, 5 July 2019
Farmers defy ban, plant GM cotton. Times of India, 6 July 2019
Marathi newsreport that states that Maharashtra’s agriculture minister has given instructions not to file FIR against farmers who sow HT Bt seeds. But if any seller is found then strict action should be taken, 6 July 2019
Bitter harvest – Mumbai Mirror 7 July 2019
Marathi newsreport confirming that the samples taken from first civil disobedience at Akoli on 10 June were found positive for HT Bt by CICR, Nagpur.
With ‘GM Satyagraha’, Maharashtra Farmers Want Public Dialogue About GM Crops – The Wire, 7 July 2019
Agriculture can’t wait: PM-Kisan can be effective only if other reforms and investments dovetail into it – Editorial in Times of India, 8 July 2019 (“Recent months have also seen farmers losing patience with government’s irrational moratorium on GM food crops like Bt-Brinjal. With their promise of increased productivity and resistance to pests, farmers cannot be blamed for hoping that GM crops will save them money on inputs and boost incomes”.)
Protesting farmers sowed banned HTBT cotton, says lab report – Economic Times 9 July 2019
Time for the government to take steps to solve farmers problems instead of destroying their crops – Times of India, 9 July 2019
Explained: The GM cotton conundrum – Indian Express 10 July 2019
‘Policy Challenged’ Agri Seed Companies Cut Down R&D Spends On Hybrids, GM Crops, Swarajya, 13 July 2019
Why Farmers Are Insisting That They Be Allowed To Grow Herbicide-Tolerant Bt Cotton – Swarajya Magazine 16 July 2019
No scientific evidence GM crops unsafe: Govt – Hindu Business Line, 19 July 2019
Kisan Satyagraha shows farmers willing to seize opportunities that come their way – Financial Express 20 July 2019
Genetically modified crops: A wake-up call? – Indian Express, 21 July 2019
Explained: Economics of GM crops and what authorities need to know – Barun Mitra in Financial Express, 22 July 2019
After illegal cotton, farmers’ outfit plants Bt brinjal seeds near Pune – Times of India, 27 July 2019
PARLIAMENTARY QUSTIONS ON GM CROPS
Recent questions on GM crops and HT Bt cotton in India’s parliament
REGULATORY STUDIES ON GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
Regulatory studies on genetically modified crops
EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS ON GM SCIENCE AND SAFETY