CHENNAI: While arguing that the fears expressed about genetically engineered crops were misplaced, noted agronomist and World Food Prize winner Gurudev Khush said biotechnology in agriculture was not an option but a necessity if the world wants to feed the growing population. Delivering a lecture at the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation on Tuesday, he said 50 per cent more food was required in the next 15 to 20 years with the population expected to touch around seven billion. Increasing yield potential and narrowing the existing gap between highest yield and average yield was necessary if more food production was to be achieved. Both these strategies could be fulfilled by the use of biotechnology in agriculture, he said. Listing out various innovations that had taken place in the field of genetic engineering, the scientist said much of the discoveries have been confined to the four walls of a laboratory and were not being implemented in the field owing to umpteen regulations. The classic case for this was Bt Brinjal, which he said was much safer than the brinjal being currently consumed which contained high levels of insecticides. Apart from addressing the issue of yield, Khush said that genetically engineered crops can help overcome the issue of malnutrition. Certain varieties of rice, which contained high amount of iron and vitamin C, have been already developed. Poor and malnourished children would benefit greatly from such technology as it would help minimise issues such as stunted growth. He hoped that the government would understand the potential of biotechnology and take advantage of its benefits.
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