GM crops will make edible oil cheaper: govt.

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Last Updated20/01/2024

The Supreme Court recently deliberated on the cultivation of Genetically Modified (GM) crops, particularly mustard asserting its commitment to the well-being of India.
The government argued that it would make quality edible oil more affordable, reducing the country's dependency on imports.

Affordability of Edible Oil: GM crops, specifically GM mustard, would contribute to making edible oil more cost-effective for the common man by growing oil seeds domestically.
Foreign Dependency Reduction
- Increasing the cultivation of GM crops aligns with national interests.
- It reduces the need for importing approximately 50 to 60% of edible oil, promoting food security, and lessening foreign dependency.
Statistical Support
- The government presented statistics from the Directorate of Economic and Statistics, illustrating the increasing demand for edible oil in India.
- 54% of the demand was met through imports in 2020-21, amounting to around ₹1,15,000 crore.

The Supreme Court expressed its focus on what is best for India, underscoring its commitment to national interest.
While considering PIL petitioners' concerns, the court emphasized the government's duty to safeguard the people's right to affordable food.

The PIL petitioners raised concerns about environmental damage caused by open field testing of GM crops, particularly the genetically-engineered variant of mustard known as Dhara Mustard Hybrid-11 (DMH-11).
They argue that the regulatory system, specifically the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), had conflicts of interest and lacked transparency.