For 52-year-old Nagappa Nimbegundi, a farmer from Makari village in North Karnataka, this Independence Day was special.

The Indian tricolour may have lost its indigenous connection with the ‘desi’ cotton variety, with the use of Bt cotton — a proprietary technology of an American seed company.

Agricultural research in India has hit a major roadblock in the last three years with several States deciding not to give no-objection certificates (NOCs) and Genetic Engineering Approval Committee

AHMEDABAD: "If the Government of Gujarat keeps allotting land arbitrarily to industries, 62% of the state's land will be acquired by industrial corridors and corporates in just 15 years. Where will you grow crops then? The farmers of Gujarat will have to pay heavily for this," said environmental activist Mahesh Pandya from Paryavaran Mitra.

To mark World Environment Day, Paryavaran Mitra held a press briefing on Tuesday. This year's theme is 'Think.Eat.Save'. However, there has been a decline in the state's crop production.

Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has issue final figures for domestic cotton production in 2012-13.

Finally, a diversification policy is in place with maize and cotton to be targeted as focus crops to help reduce the area under paddy cultivation.

China, the world's largest food consumer, led developing countries in growing biotech crops last year, according to a report by an industry organization.