AIKS opposes promotion of gene-edited crop varieties
The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has written a letter to the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressing its strong opposition to the introduction, promotion, and commercialisation of gene-edited crop varieties, including rice, in agricultural systems.
In the letter dated Friday, Andhra Pradesh Ryotu Sangham (AIKS) president G. Eswaraiah and general secretary K.V.V. Prasad said that they were deeply concerned that these developments were being pursued without sufficient consultation with farmers, independent scientific assessment, or transparent public debate. The entry of gene-edited seeds threatens to create new forms of dependency for farmers while offering no proven long-term benefits.
In the past, the AIKS expressed its concerns about Bt cotton and Bt Brinjal. Even though Bt cotton was effective for a few years, later it failed in controlling pests. Lakhs of farmers sustained huge losses. As Seed Bill 2004 was not passed, in the absence of a proper crop insurance scheme, farmers were not compensated resulting in suicidal deaths.
''Enact strict liability laws to hold seed and biotech companies accountable for economic and environmental harm caused by their products. Our bitter experience with Bt cotton should not be forgotten. Farmers must not be turned into passive consumers of corporate-controlled technologies. True agricultural development lies in empowering farmers through self-reliance. We hope the Ministry will heed this call and take steps to protect the rights, livelihoods, and dignity of India's farmers,' they added.
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