NEW DELHI: Paving the way for commercial release of indigenously developed genetically modified (GM) mustard, the central regulator — Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) — has approved “environmental release” of the transgenic mustard (DMH-11) for seed production and testing. The process will, however, take a minimum two years before farmers finally get DMH-11 seeds for commercial cultivation.
The approval will make GM mustard only the second approved transgenic crop in India after Bt cotton, and the first such food crop that can be commercially cultivated by farmers. The move comes despite the opposition of certain farm groups and RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jadran Manch (SJM).
Since the approval of seed production “prior to commercial release” is in place, gene developers will have to follow multiple processes while adhering to the stipulated 16 conditions under the supervision of ICAR before going for releasing DMH-11 seeds to farmers.
“It will take nearly two years to get the required seeds and testing for the commercial release. We’ll provide the technology to seed producing companies. We will hopefully be able to put the seeds on trial in the farmers’ field in the third year,” said Deepak Pental, former Delhi University vice-chancellor, who led the scientists of Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) that developed the GM mustard.
The approval is initially given for four years. It can be renewed for two years at a time based on a compliance report. State governments will, however, have power to deny permission of environmental release.
The move is seen as giving a boost to cultivation of mustard and eventually reducing the country’s edible oils import bills. India had to import edible oil worth nearly $19 billion in 2021-22. Though mustard is cultivated in India in around seven million hectares of land, the per hectare yield of current variety is very low at 1-1.2 tonnes per hectare compared to the global average of around 2.3-3 tonnes. Opposing the approval, SJM co-convenor Ashwini Mahajan said, “The approved GM variety is extremely dangerous to public health and also that of the farmers growing them.”
“The approval may be revoked if any evidence regarding harmful effects of the approved GE mustard comes under notice,” said the regulator while recommending environmental release of transgenic mustard in its meeting on October 18.
The approval will make GM mustard only the second approved transgenic crop in India after Bt cotton, and the first such food crop that can be commercially cultivated by farmers. The move comes despite the opposition of certain farm groups and RSS-affiliate Swadeshi Jadran Manch (SJM).
Since the approval of seed production “prior to commercial release” is in place, gene developers will have to follow multiple processes while adhering to the stipulated 16 conditions under the supervision of ICAR before going for releasing DMH-11 seeds to farmers.
“It will take nearly two years to get the required seeds and testing for the commercial release. We’ll provide the technology to seed producing companies. We will hopefully be able to put the seeds on trial in the farmers’ field in the third year,” said Deepak Pental, former Delhi University vice-chancellor, who led the scientists of Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP) that developed the GM mustard.
The approval is initially given for four years. It can be renewed for two years at a time based on a compliance report. State governments will, however, have power to deny permission of environmental release.
The move is seen as giving a boost to cultivation of mustard and eventually reducing the country’s edible oils import bills. India had to import edible oil worth nearly $19 billion in 2021-22. Though mustard is cultivated in India in around seven million hectares of land, the per hectare yield of current variety is very low at 1-1.2 tonnes per hectare compared to the global average of around 2.3-3 tonnes. Opposing the approval, SJM co-convenor Ashwini Mahajan said, “The approved GM variety is extremely dangerous to public health and also that of the farmers growing them.”
“The approval may be revoked if any evidence regarding harmful effects of the approved GE mustard comes under notice,” said the regulator while recommending environmental release of transgenic mustard in its meeting on October 18.
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