2012 articles

1.Farmers' unions oppose Bt maize field trials
2.Cotton farmers protest against FDI in retail

EXTRACTS: Bhartiya Kisan Union [Indian Farmers' Union]... threatened to launch a state-wide agitation against [Bt maize field trials], claiming that many states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, have already denied permission for such trials. (item 1)

Farmers who were part of the protests alleged that thousands of farmers had already committed suicides in the cotton growing region of Vidarbha due to the state's pro-multinational policies in agriculture. (item 2)
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1.Farmers' unions oppose Bt maize field trials
The Times of India, September 20 2012
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-20/india/33975706_1_field-trials-bt-maize-gm-crops

CHANDIGARH: Farmers' unions and green activists have strongly opposed the ongoing field trials of genetically modified Bt maize in Haryana, demanding immediate suspension of such trials.

Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) on Wednesday threatened to launch a state-wide agitation against the move, claiming that many states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, have already denied permission for such trials.

"We may even destroy such crops," announced Gurnam Singh, state president of BKU, adding that this is just an attempt of multinational companies to control Indian crops and agricultural operations through the genetically modified seeds and patents.

According to BKU, at least six ongoing GM field trials are being conducted by various multinational seed companies at various agricultural research stations under the aegis of Choudhary Charan Singh Agriculture University, Hisar. University vice-chancellor K S Khokhar said the trials are being conducted with due permission from the state government.

Explaining the reasons for their opposition, Greenpeace India activist Neha Saigal said, "Open field trials can lead to contamination of regular crops. Thus, hurriedly and tactly conducted GM maize field trials may end up in obliterating the traditionally tested seed varieties."

Saigal said ever since BT brinjal was put under a moratorium, the GM seed producers, marketing companies and their supporters in the state and Central government have intensified efforts to get GM crops introduced in India through such backdoor methods.

Khokhar said the seeds produced by many such companies are under field trials. "We will send the results of trials to the Union ministry of environment for further action.... GM crops are not a bad idea. By and large scientists are in favour of these crops. In a few countries, these crops were introduced even 30 year ago," he said.

There may be various reasons for opposition to such trials, including ignorance on the part of protesting farmers.
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2.Cotton farmers protest against FDI in retail
Jayashree Nandi, 
Times of India, September 20 2012
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-20/mumbai/33976428_1_cotton-farmers-protest-bt-cotton-multi-brand

A section of cotton growers in Eastern Maharashtra's Vidarbha region joined the protest against the government's reform of allowing 51% foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail. Their protest was organized by Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) in two villages, Hiwara and Moha.

Farmers who were part of the protests alleged that thousands of farmers had already committed suicides in the cotton growing region of Vidarbha due to the state's pro-multinational policies in agriculture.

VJAS leader, Kishore Tiwari said the latest reforms proposed by the Indian Government such as allowing 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail sector, along with the hike in diesel prices and subsidy cuts, would pave the way for MNCs to control the agrarian economy.

"We want national debate over FDI in retail. Mounting debt is already a huge problem for farmers here. Vidarbha is a perfect example that shows how allowing foreign investments in agriculture inputs allows MNCs to build monopolies, giving rise to unfair trade practices like cartelization," he said.

Tiwari alleged that over 9,000 farmers have committed suicide since 2005, when an American seed corporation that produced genetically modified Bt cotton seeds was allowed to do business in Vidarbha. Following continuous and strong opposition, the Maharashtra government ultimately agreed to ban Bt cotton in the region, but the decision came after several farmers lost their lives.