Bt Brinjal Could Reach Indian Markets By Year End
15 June 2009 Genetically modified (GM) eggplant, known as BT brinjal, is set to be introduced in the Indian market before year-end by a Maharashtra-based company, says Business Standard. However, the crop is still awaiting central government clearance for commercial release. If approved, BT brinjal will be the first Fruit and Shoot Borer (FSB) vegetable biotech crop in the country.
Currently, India farmers face 9% losses in fruit damage and up to 70% in commercial plantings in India, reports the Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Co. (Mahyco), which is developing the BT brinjal. The company claims the crop has undergone rigorous scientific evaluation to assess its food safety, environmental safety, human and animal health, safety, and biodiversity, as well as adequate FSB resistance. BT Brinjal was found effective against FSB, with 98% insector mortality in Bt Brinjal shoots and 100% in fruits, compared to less than 30% mortality in non-BT counterparts, the company reported. Multi-location research trials confirmed that it required on an average 77% less insecticides than non-BT counterparts to control FSB and 42% less for control of all insect pests of brinjal.
Brinjal is grown on nearly 550,000 hectares in India and is an important cash crop for more than 1.4 million farmers, says Mahyco. Major brinjal producing states are West Bengal (30%), Orissa (20%) and Gujarat and Bihar (around 10%), with average national productivity around 15.6 tons per hectare. Scientists have estimated that BT Brinjal will deliver farmers a net economic benefit ranging from US $330 to $397 per acre with national benefits to India exceeding $400 million per year, say company sources.
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