OneWorld.net (U.S.)

The Indian government's Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) has withheld licenses for commercial cultivation on three varieties of genetically modified (GM) cotton developed by US firm Monsanto - Mech-12 Bt, Mech-162 Bt and Mech-184 Bt after a persistant campaign by Indian organisations.

The campaign focussed on a simple fact that GM cotton crops are less productive than conventional cotton crops. It was a three year scientific study by farmers and a number of Indian non governmental organisations that nailed the lie of the multinational that GM cotton crops hve better yields.

The rsearch found that buying GM cotton seeds was nearly 400 per cent more while the average yield from it was 30 per cent less than non-GM varieties. The GM seeds also cost 12 per cent more to cultivate as their need for manure and irrigation was higher, and the reduction in pesticide use was negligible.

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Source: IPS