Why in news?
Commentaries in July 2025 highlighted India’s low crop yields and argued that embracing genetically modified (GM) technology could boost productivity, incomes and climate resilience. Despite having the world’s largest cotton area, India’s yields remain among the lowest because only Bt cotton has been commercialised since 2002.
What are GM crops?
- Genetically modified crops have DNA altered by inserting genes from other organisms. This can provide traits such as insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, drought tolerance or nutritional enhancement.
- Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton was India’s first approved GM crop in 2002. It produces an insecticidal protein against the bollworm. Farmers adopted it widely because it reduced pesticide use and increased yields.
- Globally: Countries such as the United States, Brazil and China grow GM maize, soybean and canola at scale. Their average cotton yields are two to three times higher than India’s.
Policy timeline in India
- 2002: Bt cotton approved; by 2025 it covers over 90 percent of India’s cotton area.
- 2015: The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority (BRAI) Bill lapsed, leaving a complex approval process involving the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) and multiple ministries.
- 2019: A draft Seed Price Control Order sought to regulate prices and royalties of GM seeds to make them affordable.
- 2022: The GEAC gave conditional clearance for confined field trials of GM mustard (DMH‑11), a hybrid developed by Delhi University. However, commercial cultivation remains pending due to legal challenges.
- 2023 onwards: The government launched the Jai Anusandhan initiative to promote agri‑innovation and relax some field‑trial restrictions.
Why yields remain low
- Regulatory delays: Lengthy approval processes discourage private and public research. Only cotton has been commercialised, while GM maize, rice and soybean face indefinite waits.
- Illegal planting: Farmers in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Haryana reportedly grow herbicide‑tolerant Bt cotton varieties without approval, indicating unmet demand but also risk of untested seeds.
- Limited public funding: State agricultural universities lack resources for advanced biotechnology research and extension services.
The case for GM technology
- Higher yields and incomes: Insect‑resistant and drought‑tolerant crops can raise productivity and reduce yield losses from pests and erratic rainfall.
- Reduced pesticide use: Bt technology cuts pesticide spraying, lowering costs and environmental harm.
- Nutritional benefits: Biofortified crops, such as Golden Rice enriched with vitamin A, can address hidden hunger.
- Climate resilience: Gene‑edited varieties may withstand heat, salinity and water stress better than conventional varieties.
Challenges and suggestions
- Transparent regulation: Establish an autonomous, science‑based biotechnology authority to evaluate safety and efficacy. Avoid politicising approvals.
- Farmers’ choice: Allow farmers to adopt GM seeds voluntarily while providing labelling and coexistence guidelines to protect non‑GM farmers.
- Research investment: Increase funding for public research institutes to develop locally adapted GM crops, including pulses and oilseeds.
- Public communication: Disseminate balanced information about GM benefits and risks to counter misinformation. Engage farmers, scientists and consumer groups in dialogue.