The IMF’s April 2025 Regional Economic Outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa presents a clear warning: regional growth is slowing, debt pressures are mounting, and donor assistance is declining. Yet the report outlines critical opportunities particularly in domestic revenue mobilization, structural reform, and private sector activation that can shape a more resilient …
ON the surface, it was a typical fortnight in India's debate on genetically modified (gm) crops. Right after the International Rice Congress in Delhi promoted the benefits of transgenic rice, a plot of Bt rice was burnt in Haryana amid biosafety fears, and a complaint was registered in eastern Uttar …
On November 5, 2006, activists of the Bharat Kisan Union alleged violation of biosafety regulations in a field where trials of Bt rice were being carried out in Rudrapur village of Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. After an investigation, the sarpanch of the village panchayat registered a police complaint against the …
Has only faulty diffusion of information held back the gains of Bt technology? Bt-cotton is a powerful illustration of the benefits offered by modern science to reduce rural poverty, improve food security, and protect the environment. But it requires proper management. In China, it's sad to see this technology die …
• As many as 57 species of fish in Haryana have disappeared over the past four decades as a result of pollution and high siltation of rivers, a study found. • UN's Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination strongly reprimanded the Botswana government over eviction of the Gana and …
In the past five years, when cotton farmers of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab were struggling, Gujarat farmers were making hay, to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore a year. The state’s total yield has increased by 5.6 million bales in the past five years. This additional yield means an …
What's the secret of Navbharat-151's success? This is designed as a shorter-duration variety (140 days) as against 180 days to facilitate the rabi crop. Because it originates from the best local selections, it suits local conditions well. Besides, this is a long-staple variety and has potential yield of 5,500 kg …
Can we ever do without imports? A few lakh bales of imports, even if they continue for a long time, should not be a major concern because the percentage of imports to total demand of raw cotton has been consistently low at around 2 per cent only. Will the import …
Take the pesticide problem. Although cotton occupies only 5 per cent of India's agricultural land, it accounts for 54 per cent of pesticide use. Andhra Pradesh cotton growers use more than 30 per cent of the country's pesticides and almost 70 per cent of pesticides used for growing cotton. "Since …
Bt cotton seeds sold in India are priced in the range of Rs 1,750-1,850 per 450 gramme packet, while the normal hybrid costs Rs 300-500 and illegal Bt is sold at Rs 450-900. The higher pricing of legally approved Bt seeds is due to the royalty of Rs 1,200 which …
This article examines the divergent political responses to unplanned exposure to genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the Global South. Although scientific and domestic political considerations have some relevance to explaining different positions among developing countries, trade considerations appear to be a principal driver of GMO policy. This consideration is strikingly …
Though there is a great deal of variability in the expected performance of Bt cotton depending on the environment, the regulation and marketing of the hybrids reflects a uniformity of approach that is inexplicable. Academic studies continue to talk of the importance of studying toxicity and monitoring resistance build-up even …
Since the first transgenic plant was obtained, great progress has been achieved in GM crops. During the past seven years, the global area of GM crops has increased by more than 35-fold to over 58.7 million hectares (mha) in developed and developing countries. This trend is continuing.
Going against the grain of a September 9 federal appeals court directive, Brazil has allowed farmers to grow genetically modified (gm) soya bean this year. In the process, the country has temporarily legitimised large-scale cultivation of the legume in its southern states. Farmers of this region had, for some years …
Illegal variants of GM seeds are threatening the future of cotton in India The biotech revolution in India has turned into a nightmare. At least in Gujarat, where cotton farmers are happily using illegal versions of genetically-modified (GM) cotton seeds. The so-called regulator set up by the environment ministry, the …
Despite the absence of commercial approval for genetically engineered Bt cotton in any Asian country outside China, it is spreading fast. Weak or non-existent biosafety legislation and a lack of government concern mean that Bt cotton is finding its way into farmers' fields by deception and default. This article summarises …
