Gene Campaign has conducted a series of public debates and discussions on Genetically Engineered Crops/Foods and their relevance to Indian agriculture and small farmers.

Between March-August 2006, discussions have been held in Jaipur, Pune, Bhopal, Nagpur, Lucknow and New Delhi in partnership with local organizations with whom Gene Campaign has been working.

Our objective in organizing such debates and discussions is to involve multiple stakeholders in order to encourage informed and participatory decision-making on various issues of agricultural biotechnology. We have identified these stakeholders as subject experts, members of the scientific community, policymakers, farmers, consumers, students, homemakers, lawyers, NGOs, concerned citizens and the media.

Public discussions/debates held from March 2006-August 2006

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CECOEDECON

At the end of the discussions, a series of resolutions are usually adopted which include a mix of general issues like the demand for a national policy and local issues like declaring a state organic rather than adopting  GE crops. Such resolutions are sent to the Chief Minister and the political leaders, shared with the media for dissemination and constitute the basis for local level advocacy.

RECOMMENDATIONS 

1. All decisions related to Agricultural technologies should be taken after stakeholder consultations.

2. Genetic engineering and other agricultural technologies should be adopted keeping in mind the rural reality of India and respecting cultural and religious values.
3. This technology may have positive as well as negative impacts. Adoption should be on a case-by-case basis.
4. Utmost caution is needed before promoting Genetically Engineered (GE) Crops. Food crops should not be engineered.
5. A comprehensive review of Bt Cotton performance is necessary before proceeding further with this technology.
6. There is an urgent need to restore and reorganize the agriculture extension service system. Extension workers need to be educated and trained in the latest technologies including GM crops and foods.
7. GE technology and other agriculture related technologies should be adequately tested keeping in mind scientific and socio-economic impacts before adoption. The burden of risk of inadequately tested technologies should not be placed on the farmer.
8. GE crop research should be conducted only by the public sectors so technology remains in the public domain.
9. Any new crop variety should be evaluated in both economic and ecological contexts. Harming either will be unsustainable and result in long term socio-economic damage.
10. India should not adopt herbicide tolerant crops since these will have negative socio-economic impacts on the farming community.
11. Policy formulation and implementation must be done with inter ministerial coordination and with significant participation of farmers, NGOs, seed industry, political parties and scientists.
12. GE technology is not a replacement for conventional breeding. Significant investment must be made in conventional breeding.
13. Large-scale awareness and education is necessary among farmers and all stakeholders before adopting GE technologies. Information materials in regional languages must be prepared and disseminated widely.
14. India should adopt a policy like other countries to ban GE crops in their Centres of Origin. There should be no GE rice in India.
15. A Citizens Commission should be set up to review the relevance of agricultural technologies for the country.