High production cost of crops: Speakers emphasize research collaborations between organizations

LAHORE: Key challenges being faced by crop production in Pakistan are weeds, insects/pests and low-quality seed which lead to high production cost.

The country needs to build research collaborations and working partnerships between academia, industry and public organizations to meet such challenges. In addition to it, there is a need of creating an enabling environment like functional regulatory systems, transparent and science-based decision making, and seed regulations to cater modern agriculture needs in Pakistan.

Bringing BT technology with quality seed for corn and cotton in Pakistan would be an excellent addition to the crop protection toolbox for farmers in protecting the negative impact of fast spreading and destructive insects like fall armyworm. "We must do a strong case study and research before taking the step of using GMO seeds on a large scale because there is no reversal." These views were expressed during a discussion arranged by the Agriculture Republic, a think tank, formed to brainstorm challenges faced by the agricultural economy and way out of it.

The participants further observed that to form an informed position on GM maize commercialization, we must keep in mind two basic underlying principles that can help guide this debate. First, scientific findings and established facts should help differentiate between good and bad. Second, our socio-economic realities are as important as health and environmental safety while considering GM maize adoption.

Fawad Bajwa moderated the discussion and opined that according to the research of Richard Brion, an agricultural innovator, the concept of BT/GMO is not feasible because of its negative effects.

Waqas Sarmad, a participant, observed that threats such as drought, soil salinity, new and resistant pathogen strains and resistant insects have raised concerns about food security in Pakistan, where agriculture is the backbone of the country. To overcome these challenges, GMOs are a good option to consider. GM crops can play an important role in solving key issues in Pakistan's agriculture sector such as enhanced production and disease resistance. The adoption of herbicide-tolerant and pest-resistant crops would also allow farmers to reduce their use of harmful and costly chemicals, thereby being an environmentally-friendly option.

Aamer Hayat Bhandara, founder of the platform, said according to the information, GMO seeds available are expensive factors while the rest of the non-GMO seeds are available with cheap and usual techniques. He said there is a need to respond to some questions such as GMO seeds are not conducive to our soil, health and environment. In the last 15 years or so, there have been five large companies that have bought over 200 smaller companies to monopolize seeds around the world. These seeds cannot be sold or planted next time without a manufacturing company. The farmer must buy seeds again and again. The GMO introduced in seed farming as a solution to increase yields and food shortages, farmers have been told that their use will reduce the use of pesticides and herbicides and achieve higher yields ensuring food security, but this is not true. The impact of GMO crops on the environment is very dangerous and the weeds are no longer in control even with the glyphosate.

The use of pesticides in the world has been declining in the first few years since the introduction of GMO crops, but now a large portion of the growing farmer's spending is being spent on pesticides, and these are the companies that feed the world's food and seeds.

Hamid Malik, an agricultural expert, observed that Initially, GMO did wonders in India and followed by Pakistan but then it created havoc once GMO seed of cotton got resistance against pests. That's why the EU, Japan and some far eastern countries including India/Pakistan and other countries have put a complete ban on GMO biological products. "We should not allow GMO seeds like golden Rice in Pakistan. I know we need to grow more food for a growing population, but we should wait till our regulator's capacity building. Farmers' income and financial empowerment are major factors to opt for hybrid varieties," he added.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020