Regulatory options for genetically modified crops in India - Choudhary - 2014

Review article

...In summary, this review identifies three fundamental flaws in the current [Indian] biosafety regulatory framework in the form of the EPA Rules 1989 that need to be rectified for the Indian regulatory system to function in a cost-effective and time-bound manner:

Firstly, GM crops are categorized as ‘inherently harmful’ under the ‘hazardous substance’ provision of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, which is scientifically incorrect and gives rise to misperceptions about the safety and potential risk of GM crops to health and environment.

Secondly, the EPA Rules 1989 to regulate GM crops were issued not by a ‘legislative act’ but by an ‘administrative order’ that remains untenable and liable to change with the desire of MOEF, which affects the predictability of the regulations and ignores the need to take into account the views and policies of other concerned ministries and the Parliament of India.

Finally, the Union environment ministry administers the regulation of GM crops in India whereas agriculture falls under the respective State(s). This often confronts approvals posing a ‘Union Vs State’ conflict in decision-making on GM crops.

Plant Biotechnology Journal (2014) 12, pp. 135–146
Regulatory options for genetically modified crops in India
Bhagirath Choudhary, Godelieve Gheysen Jeroen Buysse, Piet van der Meer and Sylvia Burssens

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Arcadia Biosciences and Mahyco Achieve Key Milestone for Salt Tolerant Rice

Technology Will Increase Productivity and Improve Food Security in Southeast Asia --

DAVIS, Calif. and Jalna, INDIA, (January 22, 2014) – Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., an agricultural technology company focused on developing technologies and products that benefit the environment and human health, and Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. Ltd. (Mahyco) today announced the achievement of a key milestone in the development of Salt Tolerant rice.

Arcadia's Salt Tolerance (ST) technology enables plants to produce increased yields under saline water and soil conditions, expanding the range of usable acreage for crop production and reducing requirements for fresh water.

In achieving this key milestone, Mahyco demonstrated that Arcadia’s ST technology significantly increased plant growth and yield in multiple rice lines developed by Mahyco. Rice varieties incorporating ST technology showed substantial increases in key plant performance measures.

Rice is the world’s second-largest crop, grown on 161 million hectares annually. It plays a critical role in food security for more than half of the world’s population. India, with a population of more than 1.2 billion, is the second most populous country in the world. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that 221 million people in India, or about one-fifth of the population, are undernourished. As such, there is significant pressure on Indian farmers to increase agricultural productivity.

“With the growing demands on fresh water and land resources for agriculture, the ability to maintain high crop yields in salt-impacted environments is critical,” said Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia Biosciences. “This key technology is just one of a number of improvements Arcadia and Mahyco are developing together to increase farm productivity and reduce the overall environmental impact of agriculture in the region,” he added.

"With this milestone, we are closer to bringing the benefits of this technology to the farmers who are challenged with increased salinity in their farms and improving the overall productivity of the crop," said Usha Zehr, chief technology officer of Mahyco.

About Arcadia Biosciences, Inc.
Based in Davis, Calif., Arcadia Biosciences is an agricultural technology company focused on the development of agricultural products that improve the environment and enhance human health. Arcadia’s agronomic traits, including Nitrogen Use Efficiency, Water Use Efficiency, Salt Tolerance, Heat Tolerance, and Herbicide Tolerance, are all aimed at making agricultural production more economically efficient and environmentally sound. Arcadia’s health technologies and products create healthier nutritional ingredients and foods with lower production costs. For more information visit www.arcadiabio.com.

About Mahyco
Established in 1964 by Dr. Badrinarayan R. Barwale, Mahyco is a pioneer and leader in the Indian seed industry. The company strives to provide quality seeds. Since its inception it has been engaged in plant genetic research and production of quality seeds for the farming community of India. Currently, it is engaged in the research, production, processing and marketing of approximately 115 products in 30 crop species including cereals, oilseeds, fiber and vegetables. Mahyco is also developing genetically enhanced crops with the use of gene transfer technology. Mahyco has a national presence with its network across the country. For more information visit www.mahyco.com.

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