Campaign against Genetically Modified Organisms
In the year 2006 Living Farms focussed on Genetic Engineering in the field of Agriculture when scientists and activists of various countries gathered at the Week of Rice Action (WORA) workshop held in May 2007. The uncertainty behind the technology and the perceived devastating impact it would have on agriculture as a whole made us take up the issue. Based upon reports of what was happening around the world we felt that this new technology would further deteriorate the agrarian crisis faced by the nation today. The fact that genetic modification is capable of a chain reaction and is irreversible strengthened our resolve to fight it.
Motivating farmers and villagers
Throughout the years 2006 and 2007 we have earnestly taken the issue to the farmers, supported by our network and partners. A Coalition for GM Free Orissa has been formed after deliberations amongst diverse groups. Various stakeholders like farmers' leaders, politicians, the State administration, academicians, scientists, intellectuals and the activists have over the years come together to strengthen the coalition.
We have gone to the farmers, held meetings in villages across the three districts where Bt Cotton is being illegally cultivated, explained the concept of genetic modification and its attendant dangers, and showed them a film we have dubbed into the local language that documents the difficulties faced by Bt Cotton farmers in the states where it has been sanctioned. We have collected 30,000 signatures of farmers and villagers on a petition to the State Agriculture Minister protesting GM crops. A similar petition was also circulated amongst the intelligentsia of the State which could garner 550 signatures. We have also collected letters from Panchayats who have protested GM crops and vowed to fight them.
Educating intellectuals
We have followed up on what was happening in the States where the GM crop Bt Cotton has been allowed for commercial cultivation, as well as the activities of regulatory bodies like the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC), and shared the happenings with the stakeholders in Orissa with the help of workshops and meetings, where experts from all over India have shared their views and activities with the people of the state, and regularly provided relevant information to the important national and local newspapers who have published stories based on such information.
Based on the above petitions and letters we have conducted Press Conferences and conveyed the people's opposition and publicly denounced the policy to introduce GM crops and foods.
Informing Scientists and doctors
In the year 2008, we have brought in genetic scientists from the USA and educated the agricultural scientists and policy makers of the state about the down side of genetic engineering. We regularly provide inputs to scientists of various systems through leaflets and booklets published by us and through mails. We have approached doctors of various systems with our literature, cleared their doubts, and presented our case before them. More than 500 doctors of various systems and health officials have been approached by us.
Information through the Right to Information Act
Through the provisions of the Right to Information Act (RTI) we have unmasked the devious designs of the government to allow field trials and actively promote various genetically modified crops. We have tried to empower the people by sharing such information with them and letting them know the danger posed by this new technology to their food, life and livelihood. We have asked them to reject GM at all levels; the field trials of GM crops, the procurement of GM seeds, the cultivation of GM crops and the consumption of GM food.
Consumer Awareness
To create awareness of GM food amongst consumers we have conducted a survey to gauge their awareness level. As a part of the GM Free India Coalition, we have launched a campaign named "I AM NO LAB RAT" in the state of Orissa. A specially designed truck which had a cage with a human "lab rat" was taken around the educational institutions and prominent offices of the city of Bhubaneswar. Students were lectured in their classrooms; leaflets were distributed amongst them and thousands of signatures obtained on a petition directed at Union Health Minister Dr Anbumani Ramadoss asking for a total ban on GM crops and food based upon scientific studies that have unearthed severe health hazards in laboratory animals that were fed GM food. The petitions were faxed to the Health Ministry and also delivered physically. As a result of this campaign, held by the coalition nationwide, the Minister ultimately came out with a statement that he would oppose GM crops.
Interacting with Policy makers
We have kept in touch with high level agriculture officials throughout the campaign. We regularly meet and interact with the Director, Agriculture who is the key functionary and drafts the agriculture policy of the state. The Agriculture Production Commissioner, the top most official, has recognised our efforts and we are regularly invited to participate in participatory meetings involving CSOs. We are in touch with legislatures and provide inputs to them.
Difficulties Faced
- The public trusts the government to regulate such key items as food so that the people are protected from toxins. Very few know that the government has long since abdicated this responsibility. First, it has allowed the traditional, nutritious varieties to disappear from the farmer's fields, next it has introduced hybrid varieties that increased yield but at the expense of all other essentials. The hybrids required chemical fertilisers and pesticides whose use has increased in leaps and bounds with the passage of time. The NPK mentality has ensured the loss of vital micronutrients. The toxic pesticides have caused disease outbreaks amongst humans and cattle. However the general public is unaware of these developments. It may know that poisons have entered our food chain but may feel that they must be within safe limits. Again if there are dangers, the public prefers that the government should inform them rather than a third party doing the job. It is very difficult to change this mentality in people.
- The policy of all governments today is to favour the industry. Powerful industries dictate how the state will frame its policies. This has become the norm and the society has resigned itself to it. Fighting GM food and crops pits us against the most powerful conglomerates that are backed by powerful nations, world leaders and eminent scientists.
- The politics of GM is ensuring that the farmer has no choice but to purchase GM seeds, the consumer has no choice but to consume GM food. We have to set up alternative systems to counter this strategy. Without such an alternative the campaign cannot stand on its feet.
- The seed dealers are stocking and selling only Bt Cotton varieties as they get more discounts.
- A majority of people have become indifferent to what goes into their food.
- Corruption at various levels has made it easy for corporate entities to permeate the entire system.
The stance of the State
We were happy that the State took a stance, as early as 2006, to discourage Bt Cotton and the Hon'ble Agriculture Minister denounced it in the floor of the Assembly on 22nd June'07. But our field visits revealed the extensive cultivation of Bt Cotton in the districts of Rayagada, Kalahandi and Bolangir. We have reported the situation to the Government. We have met the Agriculture Department Officials and provided them proof that Bt Cotton was indeed being cultivated despite it being illegal. No action has been taken. An RTI has revealed that the state has made up its mind to allow GM crops as early as 2006 and its present stance is just eyewash.
Where do we go from here?
Bt Cotton is not a food crop. Yet we have seen the effects on both human and cattle. Already GM food crops are being experimented upon in various scientific institutions all over the country. In many places field trials have also been undertaken, even without the knowledge of the farmer or even the State Government. The GEAC is all set to allow commercial cultivation of food crops despite senior scientists of the country raising their voices against such a move and even calling for a moratorium till all issues are satisfactorily resolved.
Bt Brinjal is all set to enter the arena unless the combined effort of all those who oppose it is able to halt its launch. The Union Health Minister is already under attack from his own colleagues, business houses and mainstream newspapers for his stance against GM crops. This amply demonstrates the high stakes that are involved in this new technology.
In the future we will concentrate on certain key areas besides our regular activities and thrust areas as detailed above.
Preparing an alternative model
During our visits to farmers of the three districts where there is illegal cultivation of Bt Cotton, the farmers placed a very pertinent question before us. Can you, they asked, give us an alternative to cultivation of genetically modified crops? This set us thinking. We had to prepare a demonstration model for giving teeth to our campaign against GMOs. For this purpose we have selected five villages under the Karlaguda Gram Panchayat in the Kalahandi district of Orissa. The small and marginal farmers of these villages are tribals. They have left their traditional food crops and agricultural practices coming under the influence of modern farming methods. They now grow cotton in their fields. Our aim will be to train the villagers in sustainable agriculture concepts and help them return to food crops which they will cultivate using the concepts they have learnt. They will grow their own seeds, prepare their own compost and bio pesticides, store their grains, market their produce and make value additions. These villages will serve as models for others to replicate.
Creating Consumer Awareness
Despite the efforts of civil society organisations and other activists the common man has yet to know about GM food and its consequences. We intend to escalate our efforts in this regard. We will be targeting educational institutions, offices, local markets, malls, institutes and companies dealing with food products, the hoteliers associations, and other groups in order to create awareness and build resistance to GM crops and food.
What you can do
GM crop is an issue which affects us all as producers or consumers. We would request the readers to understand the implications of this new technology and decide whether we need it before proper scientific studies are undertaken and adequate protocols are put into place. We can express dissent by asking for proper studies to be undertaken, writing to our political leaders, arranging for public debates on the issue and other activities that can ensure our food sovereignty and safety.
