Released on 14/12/12

Farmers organisation from five states today demanded that government should provide them advanced technologies like GM (Genetically Modified) crops to raise yield and ensure better income.

"The government has allowed cultivation of BT Cotton, which has helped farmers. We want that GM technology should be allowed in other crops like paddy, maize and vegetables," said Jaipal Reddy, President, Pratap Rudra Farmers Federation from Andhra Pradesh.

The representatives of Nagaraju Rythu Samakhya (Andhra Pradesh), Progressive Pro-technology Farmers Federation (Tamil Nadu), Naujawan Kisan Club (Punjab), Kisan Club (Haryana) and Shetkari Sangathan (Maharashtra) also voiced their concerns demanding that field trials of GM crops should not be banned.

The Supreme Court appointed five-member Technical Expert Committee on GM (genetically modified) crops has recommended a 10-year moratorium on all field trials of GM crops.

"We need high-yielding varieties. The government should either provide or get it from some other place," Reddy said.

Pointing out that farming community in other developed and developing nations have access to advanced technologies like GM crops, Reddy demanded that Indian farmers should also get these new technologies in the agricultural sector.

"The advanced technology would not only cut cost of production, but also boost production and productivity, which in turn will increase farmers income," he said.

Source Press Trust of India