The research isn't unequivocal and hasn't been publicly-funded either - given the concerns, it's not worth the risk
Sunita Narain / New Delhi February 12, 2010, 0:40 IST

Dharamsala: Palampur Agriculture University (PAU) has come out with a booklet to help common farmers compute economics of their crops using simple methodologies. Dr Tej Partap, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, while releasing the bulletin, said it was imperative to provide precise knowledge and technology to farmers right from seed selection stage to marketing of their crops.

G. Srinivasan

Offerings are for rainfed areas with low yields.

Pioneer Hi-Bred, the seed business of DuPont, plans to launch 16 new hybrids in corn (maize) and rice during the ensuing 2010 planting season.

Though commercial release of genetically modified brinjal has been put on hold, documents made public by the government suggest a proposed study to assess the vegetable's need and possible socio-economic impact on farmers was never done.

There are too many loose ends in the Union environment minister's decision to reject the apex Genetic Engineering Approval Committee's clearance after years of testing, to genetically modified (Bt) brinjal. One trusts the months ahead will see a process put in place that ensures such an outcome isn't repeated.