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Will the commercial approval of Bt cotton make it easy for the entry of more biotech products in agriculture?
Please find below a representative sampling of submissions from July, 2002. Some submissions have been edited for length. Only those submissions which were not accompanied by a name, location, and valid e-mail address have been omitted.
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Well! I think that commercial approval of Bt cotton will surely pave a way for other genetically modified crops but it might take some time, as the world or the people are not so comfortable with the idea of tinkering with the genes of plants and animals. But then the day is not far when genetically modified crops will be seen as a boon and not as a bane.
Batseng,
Tura,
bats78@rediffmail.com
I believe that the farmers are desperate regarding the control of boll worms and to my opinion they are ready to accept and try whatever options given to them. But one biggest hurdle in the system is financial capability of the Indian farmers; of which most are marginal and cannot afford to purchase high cost inputs irrespective of their all the goodies. What Indian farmers need today is low cost inputs which can lead to sustainable control of Boll worms. They need to be educated about harmful effects of the chemical pesticides leading to ecological imbalance, destruction of biodiversity, pest resurgence, environmental pollution and many, but not controlling the pest. The economics of chemical farming versus organic farming has to be registered in the brain of Indian farmer and this can be achieved only by a team of dedicated scientists who have put their heart and soul in the science of biological control of pests. The extension wing needs to be strengthened by trying and putting heart in the job to convince the farmer. One who has worked in the field of biological control can convince the farmers. It is a very difficult and optimistic approach but not impossible. Change in mindset is needed.
J.J.Jani,
Gujarat Agricultural University,
jjjani@gau.guj.nic.in
The way in which other companies, who do not have any association with Monsanto, are having access to the very same genes and technology is alarming. If the laws don't protect technology, foreign companies will be worried about bringing technology to India. As Non-Monsanto associated companies will make more money in time than the associated companies, the reaction sent to the industry will also be confusing but encouraging. There will be more emphasis on SWADESHI Biotecnology so to call it.
Dr. Seetharam Annadana,
Bangalore,
seetharam@hotmail.com
Definitely!! Bt cotton will be a major impact on the transgenic crop development in India. So called environmentalists worrying about nature will know the situation, and they have to find another subject for their agitation. Farmers and other community confused about this subject will know the actual situation.
Ramkrishna Kolala,
Pune,
ramkola@email.com
How to convince the farmers to adopt new varieties and new technologies & leaving traditional farming system?
Uttam Kumar,
BHU Varanasi, (UP), INDIA,
uttam_bhu@rediffmail.com
What is the future aspects of biotechnology in India ?
A. Sriivasan,
Chennai,
srini2002@yahoo.com
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