Thailand needs a “new mindset” to adopt controversial genetically modified organism (GMO) technology to increase agricultural productivity and serve the bio-based petrochemical industry under the government’s bio-, circular and green (BCG) economic model, a study says.

[Study author] Khunying Thongtip said GMO technology can be applied to increase the amount of these products planted on limited areas in order to support the BCG economic model, which promotes wise use of resources, including renewable resources, to produce energy, food and other value-added products, with little or no impact on the environment.

Higher agricultural productivity can prevent farmers from resorting to land acquisition through forest encroachment, she said.

However, GMO has been a highly contentious issue in Thailand for several years due to worries over health safety, and environmental impact.

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Thailand bans commercial plantation of genetically modified plants and only allows for the import of GMO corn.

“We have many GMO products in our kitchens and we have eaten them for many years without negative impact, so why do we fear them?” said Khunying Thongtip.

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