Eminent agriculture scientists and experts wrote to the Karnataka government [October 26] seeking permission to conduct Biosafety Regulatory Level 1 (BRL 1) field trials of crops like Bt cotton and Bt maize. Bt crops are genetically modified (GM), by adding genes derived from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis to enhance their qualities, such as making them pest-resistant.

Bt cotton is the only genetically modified crop that was approved for commercial cultivation by the Indian government. That was way back in 2002. Since then, there have been many field trials of GM crops, including Bt crops, but commercial cultivation hasn’t started for any of them.

In their communication to the Karnataka government, the experts have argued that farmers have been demanding technological advancements that will improve crop productivity and resist pest attacks. They have also pointed out that regulatory field trials are an integral part of the research and development process to evaluate the efficacy of newly-developed biotech crops.

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“Farmers have witnessed the tremendous benefit of Bt gene…. I recommend integrating GM technology in pest management. Conducting research trials by scientists should be permitted as top priority,” [said entomologist Dr. B.V. Patil.]

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