A very interesting clash of opinions was observed in the state a recent event in city. State agriculture minister Prabhulal Saini and agriculture experts differ on introduction of genetically modified (GM) mustard.
Experts said that GM mustard holds the most appropriate future in state, Saini claimed that GM free mustard is more beneficial for the benefit of the farmers.
The two parties locked horns at a recently held SEA Rapeseed-mustard conclave on Saturday. Prabhulal inaugurated the conclave and voiced his favour for GM free mustard crop.
Saini also said that oil content of traditional mustard variety seed is 40-42 %. While scientists said that a variety of mustard will be developed with more oil content. However, Saini refuted and expressed his desire to plant which has more oil content but Saini said he is not in favour of genetically modified ones.
Dr Deepak Pental of Centre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants, University of Delhi said in his discussion on ‘GM Mustard Seed-Pros and Cons’, ” It is unfortunate that while Europe produce about 80 % of their mustard oil from GM mustard followed by China and Canada about 70 %, we are still debating about it.”
Bhagirath Chaudhary, founder director of M/s South Asia Bio Technology Centre (NGO) New Delhi, said India is largest importer of edible oil including mustard. “The irony is while it imports 15 million tones mustard oil from countries which produces its oil from genetically modified varieties, still we are not allowing this variety to farmers in the country which would have reduced our dependence on imports of edible oil.”
