India's experts call for science‑based reforms to accelerate GM and genome‑edited crop approvals

A high‑level roundtable organised by the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS) together with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII) convened in New Delhi. More than 80 participants, including policymakers, scientists, regulators and industry leaders, urged the Indian government to adopt a science‑based, transparent, efficient and risk‑proportionate regulatory framework for genetically modified (GM) and genome‑edited (GE) crops.

The participants argued that faster, time‑bound approval processes are essential to boost climate‑resilient agriculture, increase productivity, improve nutritional security, raise farmer incomes and enhance the global competitiveness of Indian agriculture. They highlighted the need to modernise the existing multi‑tiered system—currently under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and overseen by bodies such as the Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation, the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India.

Dr. M. L. Jat, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director‑General of ICAR, called for a balanced regulatory system that facilitates safe deployment of modern biotechnologies, while TAAS chairman R. S. Paroda stressed the importance of evidence‑based reforms to meet national food and nutritional security goals.