Experts at an event in Ludhiana have called for India to accelerate the adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops and advanced genetic technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security in the face of climate change and rising demand.
Workshop on New Genetic Technologies
The workshop, titled “New Genetic Technologies to Enhance Agricultural Productivity,” was jointly organized by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII). It brought together scientists, academics, policymakers, industry representatives, and progressive farmers to discuss the role of GM crops and gene-editing technologies in addressing emerging challenges in Indian agriculture.
Global Adoption of GM Crops
Seed industry experts highlighted that more than 220 million hectares are already under GM crops globally. Countries such as the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, and the Philippines are leveraging biotechnology to boost agricultural productivity.
Paresh Verma, Director General of FSII, noted that while many countries have embraced biotechnology as a key component of agricultural growth, India continues to face productivity gaps in several major crops. With the population expected to exceed 1.6 billion by 2050, the need for innovation is urgent.
Biotechnology as a Strategic Necessity
“Global scientific evidence over the past three decades demonstrates that biotechnology can be a powerful tool for addressing food security challenges. GM crops have helped farmers across the world improve yields, reduce crop losses, and enhance resilience against pests and climatic stresses,” Verma said. “As India seeks to feed a growing population amid increasing climate uncertainty, it is important that we evaluate these technologies through a scientific lens and create an enabling ecosystem for innovation.”
He added that gene editing represents the next frontier in crop improvement. “These technologies enable precise and targeted improvements in crop traits, accelerating the development of varieties that are more productive, resilient, and resource-efficient. For a country like India, biotechnology is not merely an option for growth; it is increasingly becoming a strategic necessity.”
India’s Research Ecosystem
Verma emphasized that India possesses world-class scientific capabilities and a strong agricultural research ecosystem. With an enabling regulatory framework, the country is well-positioned to emerge as a leader in next-generation agricultural innovation.
Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director of the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) in Mohali, stressed the growing role of advanced genetics in ensuring agricultural resilience and sustainability. “Today, agriculture faces unprecedented challenges arising from climate change, emerging pest pressures, and degradation of natural resources. Conventional breeding alone may not be sufficient to address these challenges at the necessary pace. Modern biotechnologies, including genetic modification and gene editing, equip scientists with additional tools to develop crop varieties that are more resilient, nutritious, and productive. The challenge before us is not whether science can deliver solutions, but how quickly we can translate those solutions into benefits for farmers,” he said.
Gene Editing for Productivity and Income
Surinder Sandhu, head of the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at PAU, said GM and gene-edited technologies are the pathway to ensuring food security, improving farm productivity, and enhancing farmers’ incomes in India. “Advanced breeding technologies can play a critical role in reducing India’s dependence on imports while strengthening its position as a global producer and exporter. Policy decisions related to advanced biotechnologies must be guided by science and evidence. There is also a critical need to educate and sensitize farmers on the benefits and safety of modern biotechnologies, along with cautioning them against fear-mongering and misinformation that often hinder informed decision-making and adoption of innovation in agriculture,” Sandhu added.
PAU’s Commitment to Innovation
PAU Vice-Chancellor SS Gosal said India’s agricultural future will depend on its ability to harness the best of science and innovation. “Advanced genetic technologies, including GM crops and gene editing, offer opportunities to develop crop varieties that are more productive, resilient to climate stresses, and efficient in the use of natural resources. As a scientific institution, PAU believes such technologies must be evaluated through rigorous research and evidence-based assessment so that farmers benefit from innovations that contribute to food security, sustainability, and agricultural prosperity,” he concluded.
