The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Activists pour scorn over GM crops

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 15, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Activists pour scorn over GM crops

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: Failure of Bt cotton and the way it pushed growers to misery is not confined to India. Anti-Genetically Modified (GM) crop activists narrated the plight of farmers in Canada, South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand at an international consultation on Bt Cotton here on Thursday.

The consultation, "Southern Encounters", was organised by the Deccan Development Society and Genetic Resources Action International. Noted agriculture scientist, M.V. Rao, moderated the discussion. Hira Jhamthani of Konphalindo in Indonesia described how Monsanto introduced Bt cotton though the soil in the country was not at all suitable with the result that 70 per cent of the growers incurred losses.

Firm sued in Indonesia

Monsanto closed shop midway when NGOs sued it and the Agriculture Ministry, she said. The company was also caught in a case of bribing the Government officials to the tune of $ 700,000 for getting approval for release of Bt cottonseed between 1997-2002. "It is clear that there is no science involved in release of technology but corruption and deception."

Her Malaysian counterpart, Lim Li Lin of Third World Network, spoke of how the country had been promoting commercial crops like palm oil and rubber at the expense of the food crops. Colleen Ross of National Farmers `Union of Canada said it was a corporate takeover of agriculture in her country. GM crops were being aggressively promoted despite losses.

In South Africa, GM crops were promoted relating it to elimination of poverty, said Lawrence Mkhaliphi of Bio Watch. Vladmir Rivera of Grain in Philippines said huge investments were being made to encourage GM crops. Witoon Lianchamroon of Thailand narrated how Monsanto brought pressure on Government.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh