Thread by @ikkmurugan

The Bt Brinjal (egg plant) Moratorium started by Congress and a never ending story:

Bt Brinjal is a genetically modified brinjal

There are close to 25 varieties of Brinjal grown in India today. India is the 2nd largest producer of Brinjal after China.

China has Bt versions of almost every agriculture product owing to the increased consumption and for reduction in production cost. In India, Brinjal is grown majorly in 11 states in 550,000 hectares in total. Brinjal is one of the top 4 vegetable product cultivated in India

The first agreement to develop Bt Brinjal was signed in 2005 between Maharashtra Hybrid Seeds Company (Mahyco) and two agricultural universities - University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad (UAS) and Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in Coimbatore

Approving the 1st committee report, In 2009, a second expert committee (EC-II) examined the data from these trials. They concluded that adequate safety tests had been performed and advised the GEAC to recommend commercialization of the Bt brinjal.

Fertilisers cost for one harvest for all over India is approximately 400 Cr.Following concerns raised by some scientist, farmers and activists, GOI officially announced on 9/2/2010 Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said that there is no overriding urgency to introduce Bt Brinjal

17/2/10, Jairam Ramesh reiterated that the centre had only imposed a moratorium on the release of Bt Brinjal, and not a permanent ban, saying that "until we arrive at a political, scientific and societal consensus, this moratorium will remain

Post this Mahyco and Monsanto planted these seeds in some farms without consent the court observed and called in Bio piracy. The intent was to show farmers the benefits but they failed to convince the government for the release of the seeds

Meanwhile Bangladesh started using these seeds and have declared best yields in 3 consecutive years. They claim reduction 39% use of pesticides and increase of yield by 43%. So in 2019 around 1500 farmers seeded Bt Brinjal without the govt approval

The case against Mahyco is still pending in SC. Genetically doesn’t mean artificially mutated. A thorough study by a group of scientist in 2011 revealed the benefits of this and said the farmers don’t have to depend of Mahyco or Monsanto for seeds. They can develop on their own.

Jairam Ramesh could have said a yes or a no. Instead he postponed it. Leading to a court case which is still not resolved. If this was introduced in 2010, farmers could have saved atleast 500 crores in purchase of pesticides (considering 25% shift to Bt brinjal)

The irony of all, due to Bangladesh growing it since 2013, the seeds started coming in thru West Bengal which is largest producer of Brinjal. And the highlight of all this is despite a pending court case, Bt Brinjal is sold and only difference is that we don’t know it is Bt