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 …
Union Minister Jairam Ramesh today said no NGO influenced his decision to put a moratorium on Bt Brinjal, a statement that comes against the backdrop of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh raising questions about the role of foreign funded NGOs in blocking use of genetic engineering. “Green Peace a foreign funded …
Nuclear energy still has a role in India, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said as he appeared to blame some US-based NGOs for difficulties at the Kudankulam nuclear plant. “Yes, where India is concerned, yes. The thinking segment of our population certainly is supportive of nuclear energy,” he said. He …
Perhaps encouraged by Miss Mamata Banerjee's record of vetoing important UPA initiatives recently, Greenpeace is urging the West Bengal chief minister to help scuttle the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill. The Bill, which was drafted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and tabled during Parliament's Monsoon Session …
Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), the apex authority for approval of large-scale field trials and commercialisation of GM crops, has decided to hold “dialogue” with state governments to iron out irritants being faced in the grant of no objection certificates (NOC) for GM crops’ trials. The development comes after the …
France asked the European Commission on Monday to suspend authorization to plant Monsanto's genetically modified (GM) MON810 corn, the environment ministry said, as the country seeks to keep a ban on GM crops despite losing court rulings. France banned in 2008 the growing of MON810 corn, the only GM crop …
In the next 24 months, genetically modified food crops will enter India’s neighbourhood. And that will trigger changes in our own agriculture, like it or not. Between now and 2014, Bangladesh will introduce BT brinjal; Pakistan will introduce biotech corn; Philippines, that already grows biotech corn, will also adopt BT …
European farmers are likely to fall behind in the competitive world grain market as EU consumer hostility to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) drives away research and prevents cultivation of high-yield and pest-resistant crops. The European Union has approved only one GMO grain for cultivation - Monsanto's insect-resistant MON810 maize (corn). …
European farmers are likely to fall behind in the competitive world grain market as EU consumer hostility to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) drives away research and prevents cultivation of high-yield and pest-resistant crops. The European Union has approved only one GMO grain for cultivation - Monsanto's insect-resistant MON810 maize (corn). …
Guj To Have Monopoly Over Variety Developed Jointly With A Pvt Co Gandhinagar: In a major boost to Gujarat’s big farmers, the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) of the Government of India has approved commercial distribution of a new variety of Bt Cotton seed, developed jointly by US multinational Monsanto, …
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has proposed a Rs 150-200 crore nationwide project to develop genetically modified (Bt) cotton, with genes to provide multiple protection against virus, fungi, etc, beside being reusable. This has gone to the ministry of agriculture for clearance. The idea is to involve a …
On the second anniversary of the decision taken by the then Minister for Environment & Forests to declare a moratorium on Bt brinjal, the Coalition for a GM-Free India has decided to mark and celebrate February 9th as National Safe Food Day!
The United States remained the primary backer of biotech crop technology in 2011, but adoption spread internationally as the total global planted area of genetically modified seeds grew 8 percent from a year ago, according to a report issued Tuesday. Roughly 160 million hectares, or 395.2 million acres, were planted …
In its first major policy announcement of the new year, China has revealed plans to boost spending on agricultural science and technology - continuing a trend towards rapidly-growing farm support in recent years.
Greenpeace India launched a legal assessment report of the the Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI),bill 2011. The report `BRAI Bill: A threat to our food and farming’ analyses the various inadequacies within the bill that threatens the safety of our food, health and biodiversity. Neither the preamble to the …
After many years of open discussion and development, the first genetically modified (GM) insect strains are entering field trials. A key engineered trait renders the insects “genetically sterile”, such that some or all of their offspring die; the insects additionally carry a fluorescent marker gene for easy identification. Such “genetic …
Genetically modified crops or organisms (GMOs) are produced by the now well-known branch of molecular biology, the recombinant DNA technology or genetic engineering. The share of GM crops in world agriculture is increasing steadily. From 1996 to 2009, the cultivation of GM crops has seen an 80-fold increase. In India, …
Brussels BASF, the German chemical group, has abandoned efforts to sell genetically modified products in Europe, including its Amflora potato, because of overwhelming opposition to the technology, the company said Monday. “There is still a lack of acceptance for this technology in many parts of Europe — from the majority …
New Delhi The Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) will set up an expert committee to look into patent violation issues concerning Bikaneri Narma, which was claimed to be the country’s first indigenous public sector-bred Bt cotton (genetically modified) seed variety. Bikaneri Narma Bt Cotton also promoted as ‘completely indigenous …
For the first time, ecology will become an issue in the state assembly elections with environmentalists floating a front that will vote for candidates committed to an agenda which supports sustainable livelihood, including health security. The environmentalists, led by the Kheti Virasat Mission, include the BKU (Rajewal), the BKU (Ekta) …
Imports of extra-long and short varieties to rise, as farmers prefer to sow the genetically modified seeds. The introduction of genetically modified (Bt) cotton in 2002 helped push India to the rank of second-largest global producer. However, this has also led to a decline in output of premium quality cotton. …
