Bt brinjal 'safe' to humans, animals: TNAU
Coimbatore, Oct 21 (PTI) Genetically Modified (GM) Bt Brinjal was 'safe' to human beings, animals and environment, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), which invloved in its research for the past six years, said today.
The brinjal was safe to human and animal consumption. Moreover, it required less pesticide applications during cultivation, a TNAU release said here today.
It was free from pesticide residues and therefore were safe for human consumption, it said.
Stating that TNAU would approach Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC)for the formal release of these varieties pending the final decision of the Centre, it said adding, once approval was obtained, Bt brinjal varieties would be released by the University.
The seeds of Bt brinjal could also be stored for sowing for next season, since they were not hybrids, it said.
Brinjal was an important cash crop for poor and marginal farmers and in India it was cultivated in about 5,10,000 hectares, with an annual production of 8.2 million tonnes.
In Tamil Nadu, brinjal was cultivated in 7,676 hectares with an annual production of 82,049 metric tonnes, the release said.
