Mahyco expects to get the nod soon to commercially market Bt brinjal

Manufacturer of genetically modified seeds, Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company Ltd (Mahyco) is expecting to receive approval for commercially marketing Bt brinjal seeds soon. Before the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) formally approves Bt brinjal in india, Mahyco launched an awareness programme in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Mahyco has been working with Bt brinjal seeds for more than four years. "We are expecting the GEAC to approve our seeds, so that we may start commercial marketing of Bt brinjal seeds across the country. We have begun to spread awareness of Bt brinjal among farmers, government institutes and others," said director of research, Mahyco Research Centre, Dr Usha Barwale Zehr. "Bacillus thurengiensis (Bt) brinjal will help farmer reduce input costs, and the vegetable will also be much healthier and hygienic. Anand Agricultural University has been testing the seeds for the past two seasons and we have sent the results to the GEAC," research scientist for vegetables at Anand Agricultural University, Dr KB Kathiria said.

According to him, Bt brinjal will save 20 to 25 per cent of the crop from being damaged. "Productivity will be enhanced and farmers will be able to earn more. The amount spent on pesticides will fall. As for the consumers, the vegetable will be healthier as pesticides will not be used," he said.

Currently, the cost of growing Bt brinjal is around Rs700 per acre. "Though the cost of Bt brinjal seeds will be higher, the farmers will have a better crop and returns higher than they are getting now," Zehr said.Mahyco earlier succeeded in manufacturing Bt cotton seeds in Gujarat. Now, more than 90 per cent of the crop is genetically modified. "After cotton, we started working on brinjal and rice. It may take some years to get approval for rice. Nonetheless, at our research centre, we are working on wheat, cauliflower and other vegetables and crops," she said.

According to national coordinator of ISAAA, South Asia office, Bhagirath Choudhary, Gujarat is third on the list of states producing brinjal. "India produces more than 9,100 tonnes of brinjal every year, of which Gujarat produces 980 tonnes. Productivity here is around 15 tonnes per hectare, much less than other states. With the help of Bt brinjal, productivity andproduction will increase," he said.

DNA Correspondent/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication