Kerala Left split over GM crop, Pillai sees no harm

Though the ruling CPM has taken a policy decision not to allow genetically-modif
ied crops, party politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai said that opposition to
GM crops was superstitious. Pillai’s deviation from the party’s stand has triggered
a debate, with its ally CPI and pro-Left science organisation Kerala Sasthra Sah
ithya Parishath rejecting his view on GM crops and seeds.
The CPM has always opposed GM crops and termed the issue as an agenda of interna
tional monopolies. When the controversy related to introducing BT brinjal croppe
d up, the CPM opposed it, saying it would lead to the monopoly of seed giant Mon
santo.
Pillai sowed the seeds of a fresh controversy on GM crops at a session on ‘agricul
ture in the era of globalisation’, held as part of the CPM-sponsored international
congress on Kerala Studies. He said, “Exploiting the progress in science and tech
nology was essential to enhance agricultural productivity. The opposition to GM
seeds was superstitious and application of GM seeds would increase productivity
and address the issue of malnutrition. GM crops should be used after taken neces
sary precautions. It was not right to blindly oppose development in science and
technology.”