Genetically modified crops profitable: Experts

Tribune News Service

Karnal, December 12

As many as 60 scientists of various research institutes, representatives of state agriculture universities, project directorates and representatives of governments of Haryana, Punjab and Delhi today assembled at the Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI) in a mid-term review meeting of the Regional Committee Zone-V of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Delhi.

Apart from reviewing recommendations made at the XXIV meeting held on October 3-4, 2016, in Delhi, the scientists discussed problems being faced by farmers and measures to resolve them. They also deliberated upon steps to enhance agriculture production, deteriorating soil health, climatic change, depleting groundwater table and development of appropriate recourses conserving technologies.

Dr JK Jena, Deputy Director General (DDG) (fisheries science and animal science), ICAR, chaired the meeting and batted for genetically modified food crops to meet the increasing food supply demand.

The DDG said merits and demerits of genetically modified food crops were discussed. “The scientists are in favour of legalisation of such crops,” Dr Jena said.

He said the farmers should take measures for the sustainability of production and develop pest-resistant varieties.

Dr Jena laid emphasis on the promotion of agriculture. He said a farmer could get Rs 5 lakh per acre in just four months only.

“At present, major issues affecting agriculture in the region are deteriorating soil health, depleting groundwater and climatic change,” he added.

“The focus is on realising the Prime Minister’s dream to double the farmers’ income by 2022, for which researchers and policy makers have to work hard. The meeting is a way to reach out to various states so that we can understand various problems and address those,” the Deputy Director General said.