Karnataka will ban BT Brinjal: Umesh Katti

Karnataka will ban BT Brinjal: Umesh Katti

Mangalore Today News Network

February 8: Umesh Katti, the Karnataka horticulture minister, confirmed that the state government will enforce a ban on the commercial cultivation of BT Brinjal in Karnataka. Jairam Ramesh, the environment minister, said that the center intends to announce its decision on the commercial production of Bt Brinjal on Feb 10. 

CM of Karnataka B S Yeddyurappa has informed the Center that the commercial release of BT Brinjal should be deferred till a thorough study is made. The views of all stakeholders must be considered and a long-term research must be conducted on the bio-safety of the Bt Brinjal, its contributions to food security and the well being of farmers, said the CM. 

Mohan Bhagwat, the RSS chief, strongly opposed the commercial cultivation of Bt Brinjal and said that it should be banned. Labeling the crop as “videshi,” he said that its commercial cultivation is equal to illegal immigration. 

Speaking to reporters in Shimoga, the CM confirmed the government’s opposition to BT Brinjal. He assured that the government is interested in the rejuvenation of local varieties of brinjal, which people are used to. He said that the national agricultural policy should protect local culture and not harm indigenous system. 

The annual production of brinjal, which is grown on around 15,000 hectares of land in Karnataka, is about 3.6 lakh tons.