GM crops get Survey push

New Delhi, Feb. 26: Stating that Indian agriculture has become a “victim” of its own success, the Economic Survey has favoured the use of hybrid and GM seeds along with better MSP, irrigation and national market facilities to boost crop yields and for bringing in major transformation in the sector. The survey said safety concerns related to hybrid and genetically modified (GM) seeds need to be debated and tested so that their introduction is facilitated in the next six months. It also said the regulatory process needs to be evolved to address safety concerns of GM crops.

The Economic Survey for 2015-16, which was tabled in Parliament on Friday suggested the policies must incentivise raising of production of pulses and oilseeds, for which the country is heavily dependent on imports.

“Indian agriculture, in a way, a victim of its own past success — especially the green revolution. It has become cereal-centric and as a result, regionally biased and input intensive. Rapid industrialisation and climate change are raising the scarcity value of land and water, respectively,” the survey observed. It said agriculture requires a “new paradigm” shift by focusing on raising yields with less inputs, prioritising cultivation of less water intensive crops, especially pulses and oilseeds, supported by favourable MSP regime and backed by better procurement system and research.

Pointing out deep segmentation in agri-market, the survey said unified national market would boost farmers income.