Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar is firm in his belief that genetically-modified crops could solve the country’s food security problem, but conceded that the environment ministry had the final word on the issue. “We will respect the decision taken by the environment ministry, which can give us the ultimate guidance,” he told reporters when asked to comment on Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s decision to hold back release of Bt brinjal although it was cleared by the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC).
Pawar emphasised that the use of GM crops was essential to address food security in the country.