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Brinjal variety in Gujarat faces genetic contamination

The proliferation of BT brinjal around Matti has led to a fall in yield of this exotic crop, grown in about 750 acres

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This serene village, about 12 km from Udupi, is now facing a grim future as its unique crop ‘gulla’ — a round and aromatic variety of brinjal — is facing a fall in yield due to genetic contamination and
incursion of saline water in the area.

Gulla, which has been given Geographical Indication tag, is Matti’s only crop that has fetched the villagers their livelihood— ever since Sode Vadiraja Swami gave a bagful of seeds to the farmers 450 years back.

The proliferation of BT brinjal around the village has led to a fall in yield of this exotic crop, grown in about 750 acres in a geographical area lying between Udyavar river in the east and Swarna river in the west.

DNA had highlighted this issue in September 2010, when the signs of genetic contamination had first occurred.

The agriculture department had carried out surveillance and awareness campaign in the area against bio-contamination.

“Our crops are getting pest infestations, leaf cutters (green jiggy jocids) and white fleas, which ruin the plants. These pests were the results of new varieties of egg plants (new types of brinjals) being promoted by the seed companies, I have gone to other fields across the Swarna river, where I found the farmers were growing genetically modified brinjals” said Vasudeva Bhat, a grower.

Local agricultural experts say the damage to the crop by way of bio-contamination appears to be grave with patches of gulla farms showing signs of degeneration for the second crop. They have advised the farmers to remove the affected portions and go for replantation.

“The ministry has directed the central information commissioner to post all information pertaining to genetically engineered crops, particularly brinjal, on the website of the Genetically Engineered Food Assessment Committee (GEAC), under the
ministry, and on the website of the department of biotechnology,” Prof Madhyastha said.

Saline water incursion
Another issue plaguing the crop is the incursion of saline water in Swarna river.

“For the last three years, the river overflowed its banks and inundated the gulla farms and unfortunately at this point of time it has high saline content, which destroys the crop and also makes the land unusable for at least one season (6 months),” said Jayendra Poojary, a gulla farmer.

Another farmer, Srinivasa Tantri, said: “Saline water incursion has been unheard of in the past, but ever since the zilla panchayat has taken up the construction of a bridge on Udyavar river and blocked a portion of the river, the water gushes into the fields whenever there is a high tide in the sea. This year, out of 250 farmers, only 150 have ventured into gulla cultivation and the yield has come down by 25-30%.”

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