Farmers advocate for biotech adoption, urge science-based policy

A farmer, Dayavari Narayana, at a press meet at Press Club, Somajiguda, Hyderabad on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: By Arrangement

Amidst the ongoing national debate on genetically modified (GM) crops, several farmers from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have called for a policy framework that prioritises scientific advancements in agriculture.

Speaking at a press conference organised at Press Club, Somajiguda here on Tuesday by the National Farmers Empowerment Initiative (NFEI), they emphasised the need for access to modern biotechnology, asserting that innovation is crucial for enhancing productivity, ensuring food security and securing their livelihoods.

Farmers highlighted that beyond scientific considerations, the issue is also about their right to choose advanced technologies, much like their counterparts in other countries. With agricultural practices evolving globally, they questioned why Indian farmers should be denied access to tools that have been successfully implemented in nations like the United States, Brazil and Argentina.

“Technology drives progress across industries. Biotechnology represents the future, and farmers should not be left behind,” said Vellangan Reddy, a cotton farmer from Gunturpally village.

Drawing from experience, Mr. Reddy recalled how the introduction of Bt cotton two decades ago transformed cotton farming in India by increasing yields and reducing pesticide dependency. Despite this success, he expressed frustration over delays in extending similar advancements to other crops.

Dyavari Narayana, a farmer from Rudraram village in Vikarabad district, echoed these concerns. Cultivating pulses, millets, and high-density Bt cotton, he pointed out that while Indian farmers grapple with unpredictable weather, pest infestations and stagnant yields, their global counterparts are leveraging biotechnology to overcome such challenges.

Dr. Venkatram Vasantavada, Director of the Alliance for Agri Innovation, underscored the need for evidence-based policymaking. “The science is clear — biotech crops have been safely adopted in multiple countries, leading to enhanced farmer incomes, improved yields and greater environmental sustainability. If India is serious about food security and agricultural growth, it cannot afford to ignore this technology,” he said.