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 …
ABOUT 100 farmers in Karnataka destroyed a paddy field where multinational seed major DuPont was conducting field trials for genetically modified (GM) rice in collaboration with University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore. The police have arrested 12 farmers for vandalism and trespassing. The trial was on about a hectare field at …
Six top science academies have updated their report on genetically-modified crops, which drew allegations of plagiarism, but have stuck to their stand of Bt brinjal being safe for
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Forget the ongoing war on genetically-modified rubber in the State with the Rubber Research Institute at Kottayam getting the nod for trials on GM rubber strains and the Agriculture and Forest Ministers asking the Centre to revoke it. A report published by Nature.com titled
THIRUVANATHAPURAM: Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has requested Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh to revoke the permission given for field trials of genetically-modified (GM) rubber in Kottayam. 'Express' had reported that the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC), at a meeting held on November 15, had given …
Scientists have both the right and a moral duty to be "stewards of God" by genetically modifying crops to help the world's poor, scientific advisers to the Vatican said.
The Inter-Academy Report on GM crops submitted in September, 2010, elicited a great deal of public discussion, although it was meant only for limited circulation. In retrospect, this was to be expected in view of the nature of the issue. The report has now been updated. The updating involved the …
This study from the European Commission examines the impacts of GMOs and finds that biotechnology, and in particular GMOs, pose no greater health and environmental risks than conventionally bred crops. The report presents the results of 50 projects, involving more than 400 research groups and representing European Union research grants …
The report reviews the decision by the Indian regulatory authority to stall the commercial release of transgenic crops containing the reporter gene GUS because of environmental implications, though scientists have concluded it safe. This decision will impact many crops, including those developed for drought and salt tolerance.
This policy brief covers factors such as yield gain, reduction in insecticide use, benefits to farmers and consumers, and policy implications of adopting Bt brinjal hybrids.The brief estimates economic gains from the Bt brinjal hybrids annually to be Rupee 577 crore (US$126 million) assuming adoption rate of 15%, Rupee 1167 …
Characterizing the spatial patterns of gene flow from transgenic crops is challenging, making it difficult to design containment strategies for markets that regulate the adventitious presence of transgenes. Insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton is planted on millions of hectares annually and is a potential source of transgene flow.
Germany's top court on Wednesday rejected a complaint that restrictive laws on cultivating crops with genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) violate the constitution. The constitutional court in Karlsruhe turned down a complaint from the state government of Saxony-Anhalt that restrictions on GMO cultivation unfairly damaged the interests of farmers interested in growing …
Engineered glyphosate resistance is the most widely adopted genetically modified trait in agriculture, gaining widespread acceptance by providing a simple robust weed control system. However, extensive and sustained use of glyphosate as a sole weed control mechanism has led to field selection for glyphosate-resistant weeds and has induced significant population …
The EU's food safety watchdog issued new guidelines on Friday for assessing the environmental impacts of genetically modified (GM) plants, as part of a shake-up of the bloc's GM crop approval system. The guidelines from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set out new assessment procedures for biotech companies when …
Rajasthan signs agreements with seven biotech companies to restructure agriculture. Read this special report on the fundamental shift in the way farming operates in India by giving private companies access to the state’s research facilities to test and market their hybrid seeds and other technologies. In an unprecedented step, Rajasthan …
Argentina's farm minister said on Friday it is in talks with China over exporting corn to the Asian country, which does not currently buy Argentine corn due to curbs on genetically modified varieties. Argentina is the world's second-biggest corn supplier after the United States. Rumors swirled earlier this year that …
IN AN unprecedented step, Rajasthan has entered into memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with seven biotech seed firms, two of them among the largest in the world, to tone up its agriculture. It signals a fundamental shift in the way farming operates in India by giving private companies access to the …
A paper on giving away Indian agriculture on a platter to Monsanto through public-private partnerships. This brief paper on "Monsanto-ising Indian Agriculture" is seeking to throw light on the nature of this profiteering corporation from experiences from its operations the world over, on its operations in India and then focuses …
