Telangana : Farmers’ panel urges Centre to withdraw nod for gene-modified rice
Telangana Agriculture Commission chief M Kodanda Reddy has urged the Centre to withdraw approval for genetically modified rice, warning it could harm Telangana’s paddy economy and compromise agricultural sovereignty. He criticized the lack of consultation, cited past reversals like GM brinjal, and raised concerns over seed rights and the livelihood impact on rice-dependent farmers.
Hyderabad: Telangana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Commission chairman M Kodanda Reddy has urged the Centre to withdraw its recent decision to approve genetically modified rice varieties. In a letter to the Centre, Kodanda Reddy said the move could severely impact Telangana’s thriving paddy economy and compromise agricultural sovereignty.Kodanda Reddy reminded the Union govt of a precedent set during Manmohan Singh’s tenure as prime minister, when the decision to introduce genetically modified brinjal was revoked following public outcry and expert concerns.
He described the current move to approve gene-modified rice as ‘extremely severe’ and warned of its potential to disrupt India’s food system.Criticising the Centre for taking a unilateral decision without adequate consultation, Kodanda Reddy accused the Modi govt of bypassing state govts and key stakeholders. He said that Telangana, as one of India’s largest rice-producing states, strongly condemns the decision on behalf of its farmers.Kodanda Reddy also raised serious concerns about the violation of seed rights and the economic impact on Telangana, where rice cultivation plays a central role in rural livelihoods.
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Source : The Times Of India
