Ananth Krishnan

SHANGHAI: China

Rashme Sehgal DR P.M. Bhargava, a genetic scientist widely regarded as the architect of modern biology and biotechnology in India, warns against genetically modified foods being pushed into the Indian market without proper safety trials. "A very dangerous precedent has been set in the country whereby GM foods, like Doritos corn chips, are being sold off the shelf against the law, and Bt cotton being cultivated without a comprehensive risk assessments having been conducted," Bhargava pointed out.

Country maintains rising momentum in grain production for fifth year JINAN: China's agricultural authority has expressed confidence in the summer harvest, as farmers around the country have put over half the output in the granary with the rest to be cropped before the end of the month. A Ministry of Agriculture official said major grain production areas are poised to sustain a bumper summer crop for the fifth year in a row, maintaining the rising momentum in grain production.

Washington: The World Bank on Tuesday put the blame for rising food prices in South Asia on export controls by India and others. The US also criticized New Delhi's handling of the crisis, stating the trade bans have rattled international markets. Surging food prices have become a serious concern in South Asia where food insecurity is relatively high, the World Bank Report on Global Development Finance said. "The situation has become increasingly acute across the region