Strong political will needed to stop entry of Bt Brinjal

The Pioneer, Dec 22, 2009
PNS | Sambalpur

City-based Living Farms has demanded for strong political will to stop the entry of Bt Brinjal into the State. Even though the Chief Minister and Agriculture Minister have expressed their opinion against the entry of Bt Brinjal, the organisation opined unless strong political will is demonstrated in action, the statements will remain just that, statements.

Jagannath of Living Farms said “We must remember that there were same statements made prior to Bt Cotton.” But such statements could not stop the illegal cultivation of the crop by a large number of farmers in the districts of Kalahandi, Rayagada and Balangir. Will Bt Brinjal too meet the same fate?

But even then it may not be possible with the seeds coming through in porous borders. In a telephonic conversation with a very senior agriculture officer, the official expressed his helplessness with regards to checking the infiltration of Bt seeds. He also said that Bt Cotton too cannot be checked as farmers have taken to it in large numbers.

“There is absolutely no reason to let in such technology. We are still recovering from the failure of the green revolution. As vice chancellor OUAT DP Ray puts it, we must learn from the green revolution. Chemical inputs and monocrops have not worked,” said Debjeet.