GM crops cannot be abandoned completely, says Jaipal Reddy

NEW DELHI: The genetically modified (GM) crops cannot be abandoned completely and consultations with stakeholders are on to reach a solution over it, Science and Technology Minister S Jaipal Reddy said here today.

He also prescribed a "cautious path" over the issue saying there have been different views among the scientists and civil society.

Reddy was speaking at the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council's (BIRAC) foundation day.

"We are trying to build a consensus among various stakeholders like parliamentarians, NGOs, scientists and others. We will successfully arrive at a consensus very soon," he said.

The issue of GM crop has been a contentious one as industrialists and environmentalists have locked horns over it.

In 2012, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture had recommended for the banning of GM food crops.

Reddy said India's Biotechnology sector has grown steadily over the last decade from USD 500 million in 2003 to USD 4 billion in 2011-12.

"Today Indian Biotech stands fourth in term of volume and 13th in terms of value, holding 2 per cent of global biotech industry share. Ranked third in the Asia-Pacific region after Japan and Korea, Biotech Industry in India has registered a CAGR of 14.75 per cent during the last five years," he said.