Dr. Mangala Rai, Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR; Dr. C.D.Mayee, Chairman, ASRB; renowned biotechnologists, Dr. Hidetaka Hori from Japan, Dr. D. Russel from Australia, Professor A. Zaritsky from Israel, Dr. Sajiv Anand, Director AICBA, Dr. Swapan Datta, DDG (Crop Science) & Convener of this conference, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen,
1. Success of green revolution had enabled India attain self-sufficiency in food production. At the same time, enhancement of productivity of crop varieties was imperative in post green revolution era, to meet the requirements of ever-increasing population. Increase in agriculture share to GDP is yet another target for agriculture sector. Therefore, it was indeed challenging as the plateau was seen in post-green revolution period in terms of both, crop productivity potentials and use-efficiency of input-responsive varieties. Land resources were continuously shrinking due to non-agricultural use of arable lands. Degrading soil health and evolving new races of pests and pathogens were among the other critical concerns. Thus, plant scientists and breeders faced the challenge of increasing genetic potential of new crop varieties to attain vertical growth in productivity, and ensure crop resilience under various abiotic and biotic stresses. New innovations and technologies in terms of befitting products and processes became absolute requirements of modern agriculture research.
2. Following on our successes in cracking the chemical code of life, we have gone to greater heights. Since the release of first genetically modified variety of tomato in the year 1994, the acceptance of GMO has grown over time throughout the world. Various traits have been improved in crops through genetic engineering in which most notables are: herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, combination of these two, and virus resistance. Major crops, which are benefited, include soybean, maize, cotton, oilseed Brassica, sugar beet, papaya, etc. In 2008, the global area under biotech crops continued to grow steadily, reaching 125 million hectares. Out of this, pest-resistant crops carrying insecticidal proteins of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) occupied 36.8 per cent or 46 million hectares. More than 26 countries, including India, have approved cultivation of GM crops.
3. The first commercialized GM crop in India is Bt-cotton, which has been a spectacular success story. In the year 2008, Bt cotton was cultivated in 8.0 million hectares. India has produced 32 million bales of cotton in 2007-08, replacing USA in second position in global cotton production. The average yield of cotton in India has increased from 308 kg/ha in 2001-02, to 560 kg/ha in 2007-08, which is further projected to increase to 591kg/ha in 2008-09 season. With the boom in cotton production in last seven years, India has become transformed from a net importer to a net exporter of cotton. This has also positively influenced India’s textile industry. The value of Indian textile Industry is projected to increase by more than 102 per cent in five years, from US$ 47 billion in 2005-06 to an estimated value of US$ 95 billion in 2010.
4. Many transgenic crops are currently being developed and tested at various public and private institutions in the country. Such efforts include, among others, development of insect resistant rice at Calcutta University, Kolkata; late blight resistant potato at Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla; pro Vitamin-A enriched rice at IARI, DRR and TNAU; Bt-brinjal & Bt cotton at MAHYCO, Jalna etc. In near future, we may expect many GM crops that have been modified for better availability of vitamins, iron, micronutrients, quality proteins and oils, which would ensure nutritional security to the masses in addition to insect pest resistance.
5. Many Ministries including Agriculture offer huge funding for such efforts. Based on the experience of several successful field evaluations of GM crops, it is evident that gene technology combined with precise plant breeding and efficient crop management has the potential to provide benefits to human society. Utilization of the technology to maximally benefit Indian agriculture demands a greater coordination among the technology owners and innovators, policy makers, agri-industries and farmers. In this endeavor, scientists have to play crucial roles in, innovating to develop more new products and processes; increasing public awareness, and educating the society.
6. I am happy that this conference provides appropriate platform where scientists from across the countries will deliberate on the state, advantages and perspectives of Bt-technology over the next three days, and further learn from each-others’ experiences. I wish the conference a success.
