ROLE OF FARMERS IN GMO CROP TRAFFIKING AND IN

SAFETY REGULATION
Mr. Shah Ariful Haque1, Mr. Arnab Mandal2, Mr. Alamin Gazi3, Dr. Anulina Manna4, Mr. Sudip Bhattacharya5
1,2,3
Department of Agricultural Science, Midnapore City College, Kuturia, Bhadutala, Midnapore, West Midnapore. 721129
4,5
Assistant Professor, Department of Agricultural Science, Midnapore City College, Kuturia, Bhadutala, Midnapore, West Midnapore. 721129
Email id- shaharifulhaque09@gmail.com

ABSTRACT:- GMO crops aid the productivity of workers in the food chain. In order to develop our food sources, farmers must overcome various challenges, including those resulting from climate change, such as harsh weather, drought, flooding,

and ecological upheaval. GMO technology gives us a farming tool that has favourable effects on the environment and society in addition to being secure and regulated. By securing crop yields, farmers can cultivate and use GMO crops to promote the
sustainability of the food production system and to create social opportunities for farmers and food producers. Many GMO crops are able to resist agricultural diseases and pests because they grow more robustly under environmental stress than their
non-GMO counterparts. The augmentation of farmers' access to GMO seeds can lead to more successful harvest seasons, which in turn helps feed both the families of food system workers and the broader populace. Giving farmers the chance to
succeed also helps them develop their business abilities. And additional positive impacts on workers and individuals can be seen throughout the food supply chain, from the those that pick a crop to those that process and ship the food to those that
sell the product in grocery stores not to mention us, the consumers. Conclusively it can say that GMO technology has many benefits for both people and the environment, and the above insights help underscore the important elements of safety and
regulation surrounding GMO foods.

INTRODUCTION:- CURRENT SCENARIO OF GM CROPS IN INDIA:- SUPPLY CHAIN AND MARKETING

 Genetic modification is the area of biotechnology which concerns itself with the
 India has the fourth largest area under transgenic crops, a total 11.9  In 2002, a joint venture between Monsanto and
manipulation of the genetic material in living organism,enabiling them to perform
million hectares was under transgenic plantation in 2019 Mahyco introduced Bt-Cotton to India.(Sonam
specific functions (Zhang et al. 2016)
(ISAAA,2019) Sneha,2018)
 Indian farmers are still practicing traditional process of cultivation, which required
Table-1: Global Area of Biotech Crops in 2018 and 2019:by country(million hectare)  Major players in the GM crop market are Bayer AG,
scientific moves for raising their production.(Buiatti et al. 2013)
Area (m.ha)
RANKSource COUNTRY
2018 2019
BSAF SE, Syngenta AG, The Dow Chemical Company,
 It reduces the use of pesticide and insecticide during farming that might be great
1 USA 75 71.5
Dupont, JKAgri Genetics Ltd. MAHYCO etc.
moves for the betterment of the food supply.(Brookes 2022) 2 BRAZIL 51.3 52.8
3 ARGENTINA 23.9 24
 There are many GM crops like corn(32%), rice, potato, soybean(48%), cotton(25%) etc. 4 CANADA 12.7 12.5
5 INDIA 11.6 11.9
worldwide.(ISAAA,2019) 6 PARAGUAY 3.8 4.1
Source: ISAAA, 2019
 Farmers do not directly produce GM crops due to numerous rules and regulations.
 India now only cultivate Bt-cotton and commercialized worldwide.  On Fig
the4. Global
othermarket
handof GM
thecrops(www.inkwoodresearch.com)
biggest competitor of this
 In 2002, Bt-Cotton was the only commercially produced and marketed in India..
 India spends around $12 billion annually on vegetable oil imports. market is the farmers. They only required the right

 GM mustard has considered by agri experts as a solution for the guidance and proper knowledge about market value.

country’s edible oil deficit because it has yields up to 30% (NCF,2008)

 Based on the demand for ingredients derived from
higher(DMH-11)(Shankara, 2016)
GMOs, the food supply chain affects farmers’ decision
WHAT IS GMO CROP?
about whether or not to grow GMOs.

 Farm level impact

on GM crops
 Transgenic plants are plants that have been genetically modified by inserting genes directly
should understand
in to a single cell.(FAO 2013)
by farmers during
 Transgenic plants are plants that have had their genomes modified through genetic Fig 3. Details of year wise yield(mh) changes of Bt-cotton during
2002-03 to 2019-2020(ISAAA,2019) GM crop
engineering techniques either by the addition of a foreign gene or removal of a certain Fig 5. GMOs in the food chain(FAO)
cultivation.
detrimental gene (Rani et al. 2013)
 Seeds provided by scientist, government, or
companies to farmers.
RULES & REGULATIONS:-
 Farmers grow crops and market to the retailers
RULES:- or consumers.
 In India, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee(GEAC) is the apex
body that allows for the commercial release of GM crops.
 In 2002, the GEAC had allowed the commercial release of Bt cotton.
 More than 95 per cent of the country’s cotton area has since then come CONCLUSION:-
under Bt cotton.
 In this growing country GM crops are a revolutionary
 Use of the unapproved GM variant can attract a jail term of 5 years and a
Fig 1. General schematic of GM crop
technology in the agricultural industry, but an
production(www.researchgate.net)
fine of Rs 1 lakh under the Environmental Protection Act,1989.
uneducated acceptance of this technology by
REGULATIONS:-
 All GMOs must be labelled with the words ‘contains genetically modified farmers is not the proper response.
organism’.  Except of famous companies, farmers can easily
 This label must appear on the front of pack of pre-packaged products. handle and supply GM crops to the consumers by
(FSSAI) maintaining rules and regulations.
 No person shall manufacture, pack, store, sell, market, or otherwise  Farmers knows the current local market value,
distribute or import any food or food ingredient products from GMOs, demand, and market price.
except with the approval of the food authority (The Draft Regulation)  In this growing county, we need more GM crops,
WHY GM CROP? that are properly researched and environment

 Spend less money producing more crops, hence increases
farmers income.
 Using of less pesticides and herbicides farmers have to pay less
amount for crop production.(David kruft,2001)
 Foods with better quality, flavour, and nutritional values.
 It will help to produce more in small area of land.
 India imports edible oil and pulses from other countries. A
higher yield will ensure price regulation of edible oil and pulses.
 If there is GM technology in the production of chana,
soyabean, oil seeds and other pulses can be increased
significantly.(e.g. if Bt-chana introduced in market, pod borer
infestation will decrease and a huge potential loss to the
farmers will be eliminated) (Ajit Narde,2020)
friendly and represent as a competitor in global
market.
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