The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
A Supreme Court-appointed committee is learnt to have recommended a moratorium on field trials for Bt in food crops in the country, contending that there was no definitive information about their long-term safety. The technical expert committee (TEC) consisting of experts in the fields of molecular biology, toxicology, nutrition science, …
A technical committee appointed by the Supreme Court (SC) has recommended an indefinite moratorium on open field trials of genetically-modified (GM) crops till the deficiencies in the regulatory and safety systems are effectively addressed. The recommendations, if accepted by the court, would have a serious impact on the commercialisation of …
The final report of the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) set up by the Supreme Court in a Public Interest Litigation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has said that it will not be “advisable” to conduct more field trials till gaps in the regulatory system are addressed. The report was much …
The final report of the Technical Expert Committee (TEC) set up by the Supreme Court in a Public Interest Litigation on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has said that it will not be “advisable” to conduct more field trials till gaps in the regulatory system are addressed. The report was much …
Faced with widespread concerns in Europe over its genetically modified foods, US agro-chemicals giant Monsanto said Thursday it was giving up on plans to grow new GM crops in the EU, which has held up approval for years. “We will no longer be pursuing approvals for cultivation of new biotech …
Environment and agriculture activists, farmers Thursday at a human chain protested the government's move to introduce genetically modified (GMO) Bt-brinjal at farmers' level. They said although courts of the two countries like India and the Philippines imposed ban on commercialisation of GMO but Bangladeshi research organisation Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute …
Three Italian ministries have signed a decree banning the cultivation of a type of genetically modified maize, citing environmental concerns, the agriculture ministry said on Friday. The decree, which still needs to be published in the official gazette to become binding, targets Monsanto's MON810 maize, one of two genetically modified …
In an effort to bring a positive change in the lives of lakhs of farmers, the state agriculture department will propagate the concept of ‘intelligent farming’. The draft agricultural development policy recently submitted to the Chief Minister lays focus on human resource development in the sector, which in the long …
This is the first judgement citing Section 3(j) that says plants & animals aren’t patentable India’s patent appeals board has denied Monsanto a patent for a genetically-engineered method of increasing climate resilience in plants. The decision is significant not only for Monsanto’s loss of possible exclusivity in an increasingly important …
Seeking an extension of the July 10 deadline for public feedback on the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill 2013, farmers and NGOs have requested the state government to send its objections to the bill in the interests of farmers and consumers in the state. The feedback was sought …
The biggest advantage of developing seed banks is reduced cost About 500-odd organic farmers in Gujarat are trying to develop individual seed banks in a bid to resist the onslaught of genetically modified seeds. "The farmers are now developing seed bank as a measure against the invasion of genetically modified …
Scientists at government agriculture research station at Talod in Sabarkantha have developed a new BT hybrid variety of cotton. The seeds of this new variety have been sent to genetic engineering approval committee (GEAC) of Union ministry of environment for approval. Sources said the new variety of long staple having …
It is a prize from Monsanto to Monsanto, says one NGO A selection committee chaired by M.S. Swaminathan awarding the World Food Prize for 2013 to three scientists including American multinational agricultural biotechnology corporation Monsanto’s chief technology officer, despite prevalent controversies and concerns over the technology of genetically modified organisms, …
We will oppose the Bill in Parliament, says Yechury Cutting across party lines, several political leaders participated on Tuesday in a joint campaign with civil society groups and farmers’ organisations against Genetically Modified crops and the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill at Jantar Mantar here. Participating in the …
The Coalition for GM Free India along various farmer unions and political parties launched a nation-wide campaign demanding that the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill, 2013 be withdrawn immediately. The campaign was launched at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and attended by farmers, civil society activists and political leaders …
New Delhi : In what could help companies wanting to promote genetically modified (GM) crops, the Centre has decided that field-trial approvals granted at the federal level would remain valid for subsequent years, even if they aren't conducted in the year of approval. Of course, the trials can be conducted …
Since last week, a new study on the benefits of genetically modified (GM) crops is hogging headlines in national and international media. Published in open access journal PLOS ONE, it reported significantly improved calorie consumption among small-scale farmers in India thanks to Bt cotton. The study surveyed 500 small farm …
The environment ministry's Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has cleared field trials for genetically modified rice, wheat, maize and castor for the Kharif season of 2013. The clearances - some of them extension of existing clearances that stood to lapse with state governments opposing field trials and others for relocating …
An agricultural dragnet has found no cases of unapproved genetically engineered wheat outside of a 123-acre field in Oregon after two months of an ongoing investigation, the U.S. Agriculture Department said on Wednesday. The discovery of the wheat, not approved for cultivation anywhere in the world, shook the global market …
The controversial Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) bill which was introduced in the Lok Sabha in April has been released for public consultation on June 11. Once tabled in Parliament, BRAI will be a regulatory authority for all Genetically Modified Organisms including controversial genetically modified (GM) crops in the …
