🌱 Can Genetically Modified Mustard Help Us Become Aatmanirbhar?
India has an oil problem, we import lots of it. But could genetically modified plants could be the key to become self-reliant in oil production?
When Raj and Simran met in a mustard field in 'DDLJ,' they didn't know they were surrounded by the key to India's aatmanirbhar plan:
Mustard or more specifically genetically modified mustard.
Wondering how mustard can make us aatmanirbhar? ReadOn!
🛢️ India's Oil Problem
India loves oil.
In fact, we are the biggest importers of edible oil.
Last year, we imported edible oil worth $19 billion!
But after the Russia-Ukraine war and Indonesia banning palm oil exports, we have realised that this dependence on imports is harmful for us.
So, we have figured out a way to increase our oil production with genetically modified mustard crops.
However, there's a lot of controversy around this. So, let's dive deep into how GM mustard can solve our oil problems and why it is so controversial.
😯 The GM Mustard Controversy
Currently India can meet only 30% of its oil demand.
Because the oil seeds that India can grow are not too popular (read: profitable) amongst farmers.
They need a lot of land, a lot of water and a lot of money to grow.
Not just that, often farmers cannot grow other crops along with these oilseeds.
GM Mustard can help solve this problem.
This genetically modified crop has super powers. It can boost yields by 28%.
So, farmers can grow more crops using the same amount of land, water and money, giving them better return on investments.
Therefore, more mustard oil will be produced reducing our dependence on imports.
Why is the timing of this perfect?
Because last year, we banned the blending of mustard oil with other oils, a move that adversely impacted the demand for mustard, causing farmers to abandon it.
Which is why the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee has given approval to use this GM mustard.
So, has our oil problem been solved?
If only. A lot of farmers associations, environmentalists, and even oil producers don't really support this move.
Why? Because…
Genetically modified crops could be potentially dangerous for consumption. Which is why India only has one genetically modified crop: BT Cotton (which helped double our cotton production)
Oil producers and suppliers believe this modified mustard will not produce the same quality of mustard oil
Environmentalists and farmers think the GM crop could impact bees and other pollinators in the area
Plus, this crop is herbicide resistant so, farmers could get used to spraying tons of herbicides in their fields. This could make weeds herbicide resistant. And the herbicide residue could harm us and the soil
And the biggest and the most important reason of all:
India wants to plant this GM Mustard to become aatmanirbhar. But the patent for creating these GM mustard seeds is reportedly held by a German company, Bayer.
So, even if we did grow GM Mustard, we would still be dependent on other countries for our oil production. And once farmers have gotten used to planting these seeds, the company could raise their prices, leaving us in a churn.
Now, it is the government's call to decide whether or not GM Mustard will be planted in India. But our question is will GM Mustard truly help us reduce oil imports?
Right now, India is obsessed with palm oil. Because it is much cheaper than all the other oils out there. So, major restaurants, snack chains, etc mainly use palm oil.
On the other hand, mustard oil isn't all that popular.
Now, cheaper mustard oil due to high yields could popularise it. But mustard oil has a very particular smell and taste that only goes well with a few cuisines.
So, even growing GM Mustard may not solve our oil problem.
But if India agrees to choose mustard oil over other refined oils, it would help us both financially and healthwise.
Mustard oil is healthier than the other refined oils we currently consume and could reduce heart diseases.
And as the world grows more health conscious we could also become major exporters of mustard oil.
But what if GM Mustard isn't approved? Do we remain dependent on imported and unhealthy oils?
Well, there could be another way out. We could use microbes to create oil.
You can read all about it here!
⚡In a line: To support our love affair with oil, we are turning to genetically modified crops, but not everyone supports this move.
💡Quick question: So, what should be the priority: improving crop yields to increase farmers' income or not allowing GM Mustard seeds and safeguarding the environment while looking for other solutions?
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