There’s a food crisis looming over India.
Farmers in the country currently lose some . . . ($5 billion) every year to pests and diseases. . .
. . . . The situation may only worsen as the United Nations estimates that the country’s population, currently at 1.2 billion, will reach 1.8 billion by 2050.
Scientists . . . have a solution: genetically modified (GM) crops that can withstand pests and droughts. But. . . they will have to convince prime minister Narendra Modi’s government about the safety and cost-effectiveness. . .
. . . .
One possible solution for the Indian government is to form an autonomous regulator. The GEAC is a part of the ministry of environment and forests, and isn’t “entirely independent,” . . .
The review committee on genetic manipulation. . . is part of the department of biotechnology whose mandate is to promote the growth of the biotech industry in India—a clear conflict of interest.
Both [China and India] face similar food security challenges. . . China, though, has been using GM crops for the last two decades . . . Today, with just 7% of the global arable land, China feeds 22% of the world’s population. Such a boost is needed in India—and fast.
The GLP aggregated and excerpted this blog/article to reflect the diversity of news, opinion and analysis. Read full, original post: There will be 1.8 billion Indians by 2050. GM crops are the only way to feed them all
