Karnataka CM BS Yeddyurappa hints at banning genetically-modified vegetable, says farmers not happy.
Bacillus thuringiensis brinjal or Bt brinjal as it is popularly known is definitely not on Karnataka’s menu. On Wednesday, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa hinted at a ban on the genetically-modified vegetable. “The state is the fifth largest producer of brinjal in the country. We are growing more than 40 varieties of brinjal. We will not allow anything that may put our farmers in a difficult spot,” said the chief minister.
“When Bt cotton was introduced in India, there was a lot of opposition from farmers’ community. According to one of the reports which I have received, Bt brinjal affects human life and also the environment. We will oppose any move which is bad for human life,” he added.
Yeddyurappa said he would have a discussion with experts and farmers community in this regard. “We will take a decision and convey our stand to the Centre.”
It is not just the chief minister who is having doubts on Bt brinjal. JD(S) leader HD Deve Gowda, too, is against it. “There is a difference of opinion among farmers about the said breed of brinjal. I have requested Union minister for agriculture Sharad Pawar to keep in mind the concerns of farmers when taking a decision on Bt brinjal,” he said. Gowda said more research has to be done about the Bt variety before arriving at a decision. Members of Savayava Krishi Mission have also opposed the introduction of Bt brinjal into the state and have submitted a memorandum in this regard to the CM.
The environment ministry is holding consultations on cultivation of Bt brinjal in seven cities across the country—Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Nagpur. The public meeting in Bangalore will be held at the Good Shepherd Auditorium next Monday, which will be attended by farmers, NGOs, agricultural experts, scientists, government and the general public. It will be chaired by the Union minister of state for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh. Orissa, West Bengal and Gujarat have decided against introducing the genetically modified version of brinjal.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}