Strong refusal to use GM maize seeds in Pakistan.

Byline: Shabbir Kazmi

Farmers must not allow cultivation of genetically modified maize and other crops

All the major stakeholders of agriculture sector including farmers, food processors, national seed companies and agribusiness experts, etc. vehemently oppose cultivation of genetically modified (GM) maize in Pakistan. The unprecedented near-consensus against GM is amazing. However, the proponents of GM seeds are still trying desperately to get the government approval by openly criticizing Ministry of National Food Security and Research for the delay in granting the permission of cultivation of GM maize in Pakistan.

It is on record that the 1st consultative meeting on commercial cultivation of GM maize was held on February 20, 2019 with the representatives of Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP), Pakistan Kissan Ithad (PKI) and Rafhan Maize Products. The meeting was chaired by Sahibzada Mohammad Mehboob Sultan, Federal Minister, National Food Security and Research, while Dr. Mohammad Hashim Popalzai, Secretary of Ministry, moderated the deliberations.

At the meeting, SAP representative sternly opposed commercialization of GM maize in Pakistan. He said that GM was the most controversial technology in the world and most of the developed countries have not allowed its cultivation. He also said that maize was a highly cross-pollinated crop and cultivation of GM maize would contaminate the indigenous verities, as a result of an irreversible process. He warned, "After a few years, local maize varieties would be completely contaminated due to cross pollination."

Afzaal Haider Rizvi, is a Doctor by profession, but actively involved in agriculture since 1995. His farm is located in District Okara and he mainly cultivates Potato, Maize, Rice, Wheat and Fodder. When he was asked to comment on pros and cons of cultivation of GM maize, he said, "United States is the biggest proponent of GM seeds in the world, but even there most of the states have banned its use. In many European countries use of GM seeds is also banned and France is strictly against GM crops. Therefore, local authorities must also apply constraint and avoid using GM seeds, especially because farm using GM seeds and indigenous varieties can't be segregated. This increases the probability of contamination and damage of crop using local varieties."

As regards use of GM seed in other parts of the world, he was of the view, "GM technology is the domain of high tech companies of developed...