Monsanto is seeking support for GM brinjal, say activists

A group of activists along with members of the Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS) have alleged that agriculture technology company Monsanto was carrying out a signature campaign in the state to lobby for GM brinjal and other crops.

The activist also produced the letter on which the signature campaign was being carried out. "Poor farmers are being asked to sign on this letter which would eventually be sent to the prime minister to demand for introduction of other GM products like brinjal and maize. The farmers are unaware of what they are signing for," alleged Kapil Shah of Jatan, an NGO that promotes organic farming.

He said the company had allegedly hired a group to carry out the signature campaign and that most of the farmers signing up for the same had no idea of what they were backing. Magan Patel, president of BKS, also criticised the use of double hybrid maize seed of the company in the Project Sunshine of the government, which is aimed at the development of tribals of the state.

"The seeds are detrimental to soil health of the soil and also for farming in the long term. Even the state agricultural universities have warned against the use of such seeds," said Patel at the conference. He said they would carry out a campaign to halt govt's efforts to give monopoly to the company in the seeds business.