Relevance of Modern Technologies to Indian Agriculture

The five-point programme suggested by Swaminathan and Kesavan to ‘End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture’ (UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)) is unexceptional. One understands the need for providing adequate calories, end protein hunger, overcome micronutrient deficiencies, access to clean drinking water and attention to imparting nutrition literacy to the community. However, it is surprising that the authors summarily dismiss genetic engineering technology as not sustainable based on a superficial analysis. The fact remains that introduction of Bt-cotton transformed this country from a cotton-importing destination to that of a cotton-exporting nation. One needs to analyse the reasons for its diminishing efficacy and ensure sustainability.