Genetically modified (GM) seeds have emerged as a powerful new technology promising high productivity, improved quality and lower use of fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides in the last one to two decades. They have also gained increasing acceptance among farmers around the world. Indian farmers also enthusiastically embraced these seeds in the only crop in which they have been permitted so far: cotton. There is some concern that GM seeds can be monopolized by multinationals, which may then exploit our farmers. But this concern is readily addressed by limiting GM seeds to those varieties discovered by our own institutions and companies.
(Arvind Panagariya speaking at the release of NITI Aayog’s Three-Year Action Agenda on 24 August, 2017. Photo courtesy PIB).
