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INDIA – GM EGGPLANT PENDING
GM brinjals in Indian kitchens soon
15 November, 2005 - Web India123.com
In less than two years, the GM version of the ubiquitous brinjal, or aubergine or eggplant, call it what you will, may enter Indian kitchens after clearing
environment and health safety standards.
"Once we have cleared the required trials and safety parameters, we are looking at 2006-07 for commercial release of the new genetically modified eggplant," said Raju Barwale, managing director of Maharashtra Hybrid Seed Company (Mahyaco).
"The large-scale trials can be completed by next yearend before going to the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) for commercial release.
The economic advantage data will also be generated within the next six to eight months," Barwale said at an interaction in this Tamil Nadu town for media from all countries participating in the ongoing field trials.
Grown year round, a significantly large percentage of the brinjal crop is damaged due to high infestation of fruit and shoot borer.
Even the undamaged crop that reaches dining rooms is contaminated by repeated use of toxic pesticides, say leading agriculture scientists engaged in the development of the transgenic crop.
Partnering the effort are universities and research bodies in India, Philippines,
Bangladesh and the US based Monsanto, which is a seed partner in Mahyco.
The public-private partnership is the mode adopted to develop and commercialise bio-engineered crops to complement traditional and organic agriculture approaches.
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