Suggestions of Government of Punjab on the draft policy on 'Applications of Biotechnology in Agriculture'

The State of Punjab is in Agreement, in principle, with the draft policy of the 'Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture' prepared by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman of the Task Force.  For promoting the application of biotechnology in agriculture, the state of Punjab feels that the following suggestions may also be taken into consideration  :-

1.                 The draft document suggests the setting up of the National Institute for the Evaluation of GM Crops Varieties.  It is suggested that such institutes be set up in all the States of country leading in agriculture or at least in each zone so that the farmers, agri-product producers and exporters have testing facilities at one place and within a reasonable distance.

2.                 The state of Punjab is in agreement with the suggestion of setting up of a 3 tier regulatory bodies at national, state and district level for promoting the application of biotechnology in agriculture.  It is suggested that all the states may set up boards which are empowered and can take decisions for the application of biotechnology in the areas of interest to the state/region.

3.                 The time taken for clearing a product from the stage one to commercialization for consumption by consumer is quite long.  In the case of agriculture products it takes 7-8 years.  The state of Punjab which is the leading agriculture state in the country, feels that the Task Force should consider simplifying the regulations so that the time taken for clearing of agri-products is reduced.

4.                 The state of Punjab appreciates the clause '9' of the document i.e. Liability and Compensation.  It is suggested that a clause be put into the document to provide for insurance cover for agriculture.  It would certainly help to build the confidence of the farmers for shifting from conventional to the cultivation of innovative crops including GM crops.

5.                 The document may spell out the policies for creating public awareness about biotechnology in general and application of biotechnology in agriculture/agro-processing, GM crops etc in particular.