 "Fix GM crop seed prices judiciously: minister")
“The development of genetically modified crops is a time-consuming job requiring huge investments and companies need patent protection to invest time and money into this innovation. However, companies should also keep the farmers in mind in pricing of these innovations,” he said at the World Agriculture Forum Congress meet that began here on Tuesday.
The minister said the agriculture sector was facing many challenges, including shrinkage of land, depletion of water resources and adverse impact of environmental changes, while there had been a constant demand for higher agriculture to meet the needs of growing population. Stressing the need for innovations to drive the agriculture growth in the country, Anwar said a scientific mechanism had to be created to evaluate the effects of GM crops and avoid unnecessary controversies.
Chairman of World Agriculture Forum Advisory Board and former Prime Minister of New Zealand James Bolger also called for a political consensus on GM crops, which are going to play a significant role in enhancing agriculture productivity. He also expressed concern over growing cost of cultivation.
Bayer CropSciences CEO Liam Condon said his company was working on stress-tolerant crop varieties using smart breeding techniques to genetic modification that help in facing adverse environmental impact as well as enhance productivity. The three-day even saw thin attendance by overseas delegates on the first day.