Events & Seminars

We organized a Round Table Conference of farmer representatives, environmental activists and experts from different States on the issue of national policy on Genetically Modified crops at Kalpatta, Wayanad district, Kerala on 6 October 2024. The conference was organized in the background of the Supreme Court direction in April 2024 to the Government of India to evolve a national policy on GM crops. The Conference discussed various issues affecting the interests of farmers, consumers, environment, ecology and biodiversity on account of introduction of GM crops and GM food products. Speaking at the event Magsaysay Award Winner Dr Rajendra Singh, popularly known as Water Man of India, stated that GM crops pose threat to every agro-ecological and climate zone. Dr Suma from Dr Swaminathan Foundation said that GM crops in conjunction with intellectual property rights regime is inimical to the rights of traditional farmers who have made immense contributions to conserve seed varieties. She explained that genetic modification of plants will lead to bio-diversity erosion and ecological disasters. A draft bio-safety policy document was presented in the Conference for discussion. This will be submitted to the state and central governments after finalization in further conferences.