Sun no longer shines on GM maize seeds

News for corn lovers - you can now safely bite into the corn cob without having to worry about your health! Gujarat government on Thursday withdrew propriety seeds of multinational company (MNC) Monsanto from ongoing Project Sunshine of the government. Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and anti-GM lobby hailed the move.

"We cannot let our food security be compromised by giving unusual leverages to MNCs," said Prabhakar Kelkar, national president - Bharatiya Kisan Sangh (BKS). Talking at a press meet in the city on Thursday, he said that the move is the first step towards ensuring food security in the country.

Monsanto spokesperson said they were not aware of the decision. "We have received no such information from the Gujarat government," said the spokesperson. Contrary to allegations, Prabal - the high-yielding maize hybrid seeds were tested in Anand Agriculture University for three years and showed consistent performance, the spokesperson added.

Popularly known after its brand name 'Prabal', Monsanto seeds are double-crossed hybrid of maize that was being distributed to tribal farmers of Gujarat under Project Sunshine. The endeavour falls under purview of tribal development ministry. However, an official in the department declined any knowledge of the development. "I don't know, ask the officials," said Mangu Patel, tribal development minister.

Interestingly, Patel was part of the committee formed to review use of Monsanto seeds. The panel had later recommended the government to withdraw the seeds from Project
Sunshine.

Speaking on the issue, agriculture minister Dilip Sanghani said that government was purchasing Monsanto seeds to be given to 'Project Sunshine' farmers, but it has now stopped doing so.

"Tribals will now be provided assistance in buying seeds, approved by the government," said Sanghani.

Earlier, use of Prabal seeds by government in Project Sunshine invited criticism from BKS, scientists and NGOs. NGOs say that Gujarat government, since commencement of the project in 2008, has spent Rs500 million in procuring seeds from Monsanto. It is also alleged that authorities selected the seeds despite adverse opinion of agriculture scientists.