New Delhi: The government has begun the process of drafting its long-delayed policy on genetically modified (GM) crops, having set up an expert committee made up of agriculture and climate scientists, two people aware of the development said.

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In India, Bt cotton is the only GM crop approved for cultivation, with several other crops such as chickpea, pigeon pea (tur), corn and sugarcane in various stages of research and field trials. Mustard is on hold after the first trial sowing.

“In the past two decades there have been efforts to bring new technological interventions. However, GM acceptance among policymakers and stakeholders has been slow. A national policy in this regard would be helpful, however, any such decision should have a time-limit in place,” said Chirag Jain, partner, Grant Thornton Bharat LLP, an agricultural economist.

“If we estimate that those who have really suffered with the delay would be the farmers and taxpayers whose money has been invested against paying the hefty import bills,” Jain said.

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