Farmers demand approval of genetically modified corn
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Staff Report
LAHORE: Farmers of corn-growing areas have reiterated their demand to approve genetically modified corn for commercial plantation in Pakistan because this technology seems to have the potential to reduce losses caused by various insect pests and weeds that in turn result in increasing the production of corn crop.
Farmers belonging to Sahiwal, Pakpatan, Arifwala, Mian Channu and Vehari made this demand during their visit to a field trial site in Yusafwala, Sahiwal where Monsanto is showcasing its genetically modified corn product VT Double Pro to provide all the stakeholders especially farmers an opportunity to practically witness the latest agricultural technologies and innovations.
On the occasion, Monsanto Pakistans Technology Development Officer Asif Nazir, while briefing the farmers, said that biotechnology is the fastest adopted crop technology in the world, adding that Pakistan can increase the productivity of various crops by embracing this revolutionary technology. He informed the farmers that Monsanto had completed the field trials of the product and now they were just awaiting governments nod for commercial release of the product in the country. We (Monsanto) have submitted our application to the official body - National Biosafety Committee - for approving commercial release of our GM corn product in Pakistan and would hand over this technology to you (farmers) as soon as we get go-ahead from NBC, said Nazir.
The farmers said that agriculture was the backbone of countrys economy so bringing improvement in this sector was imperative for development, adding that latest technology would certainly play a key role in this regard. Some of us (farmers) did not have much knowledge about biotech crops earlier but now, after practically seeing the GM corn field, we have learnt a lot about biotechnology and are sure that crop biotechnology has the potential to deliver in Pakistan, remarked Chaudhry Tahir Mahmood, a progressive farmer from Sahiwal. The farmers also urged the government to play a proactive role for farmer education on biotech crops so that Pakistan could benefit from this technology in a better way. The farmers urged the need for more debate on biotechnology in Pakistan to highlight the benefits of biotechnology and develop understanding among farmers about biotech crops. We should utilise this technology keeping in mind our own needs, said Chaudhry Asifwala, a grower from Vehari.
At the end, the visiting farmers thanked Monsanto Pakistan for providing them the opportunity to practically see how their corn technology works in the field and hoped that the government would approve GM corn as early as possible. Monsanto Pakistans representatives assured the farmers that their company would continue to take every possible step to aware them about the latest developments in agriculture.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Staff Report
LAHORE: Farmers of corn-growing areas have reiterated their demand to approve genetically modified corn for commercial plantation in Pakistan because this technology seems to have the potential to reduce losses caused by various insect pests and weeds that in turn result in increasing the production of corn crop.
Farmers belonging to Sahiwal, Pakpatan, Arifwala, Mian Channu and Vehari made this demand during their visit to a field trial site in Yusafwala, Sahiwal where Monsanto is showcasing its genetically modified corn product VT Double Pro to provide all the stakeholders especially farmers an opportunity to practically witness the latest agricultural technologies and innovations.
On the occasion, Monsanto Pakistans Technology Development Officer Asif Nazir, while briefing the farmers, said that biotechnology is the fastest adopted crop technology in the world, adding that Pakistan can increase the productivity of various crops by embracing this revolutionary technology. He informed the farmers that Monsanto had completed the field trials of the product and now they were just awaiting governments nod for commercial release of the product in the country. We (Monsanto) have submitted our application to the official body - National Biosafety Committee - for approving commercial release of our GM corn product in Pakistan and would hand over this technology to you (farmers) as soon as we get go-ahead from NBC, said Nazir.
The farmers said that agriculture was the backbone of countrys economy so bringing improvement in this sector was imperative for development, adding that latest technology would certainly play a key role in this regard. Some of us (farmers) did not have much knowledge about biotech crops earlier but now, after practically seeing the GM corn field, we have learnt a lot about biotechnology and are sure that crop biotechnology has the potential to deliver in Pakistan, remarked Chaudhry Tahir Mahmood, a progressive farmer from Sahiwal. The farmers also urged the government to play a proactive role for farmer education on biotech crops so that Pakistan could benefit from this technology in a better way. The farmers urged the need for more debate on biotechnology in Pakistan to highlight the benefits of biotechnology and develop understanding among farmers about biotech crops. We should utilise this technology keeping in mind our own needs, said Chaudhry Asifwala, a grower from Vehari.
At the end, the visiting farmers thanked Monsanto Pakistan for providing them the opportunity to practically see how their corn technology works in the field and hoped that the government would approve GM corn as early as possible. Monsanto Pakistans representatives assured the farmers that their company would continue to take every possible step to aware them about the latest developments in agriculture.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
