Although India contributes only 2% to global maize production, its impact on the animal feed sector is substantial. According to ICAR, India produces approximately 35 million metric tons of maize annually, with 61% allocated to animal feed. Within this feed segment, poultry consumption accounts for 77% of the maize used.
Recent policy shifts have positioned maize as a key resource for ethanol production, providing significant benefits to maize producers. However, this policy change has negatively impacted the Indian poultry industry, which is the largest consumer of maize. The cost of maize, a critical input for poultry, has surged dramatically, creating a challenging situation for policymakers. While maize producers gain from the new ethanol policy, the poultry sector faces rising costs. This scenario highlights the need to revisit the long-standing debate on GMO maize. Below is an overview of global GMO maize varieties and their use in Asia.
GM – Maize Varieties:
1. MON 810
2. NK 603
3. MON 863
Asia countries adopted – GM Maize:
1. Philippines – 2003
2. Vietnam – 2015
3. Pakistan – 2017
The poultry industry has been requesting the government to consider GMO maize production in India. The advantages of GMO maize are significant, and some of them are outlined below.
GM Maize – Advantages:
1. Reduce production loss due to pests
2. Reduce herbicides application
3. Better grain quality
4. Safe for both human and animal consumption
5. Maize GMO – yield increases ranging from 10 to 45% over conventional hybrids
I am curious about how our policymakers will address the poultry industry’s request to allow GMO maize in India. As major consumers of maize rather than producers, we face unique challenges. Have maize producers themselves ever advocated for GMO maize? They are already able to sell maize at competitive prices globally and stand to benefit from increased demand due to ethanol production policies. This aligns with the government’s objectives, doesn’t it?
Therefore, it is crucial for the poultry industry to align with maize producers on the introduction of GMO maize in India. The advantages of GMO maize are well-documented and supported by science. Without GMO maize, the demand-supply gap will likely widen, leading to further price increases. However, it remains uncertain whether the full benefit of higher prices will reach the maize producers, given the commodity nature of maize.
Policymakers’ concerns, such as food security, potential monopolies by multinational corporations on seeds, and crop diversity, need to be thoroughly addressed in this context.
Under the above the suggested action plan to introduce GMO may be as follows
Action Plan:
Engage maize producers’ country wide
Suggest distribution of GMO Maize seed through government agencies
Highlight GMO Maize advantages
Suggested Initiatives:
All Poultry associations engage maize producers with a constructive dialogue, have a broad-based consensus and appeal to the union Government for allowing usage of GMO Maize.
Given that GMO decisions can be complex and time-consuming due to the involvement of multiple stakeholders and possibly the PMO, it’s understandable that progress may be slow. However, I am confident that the united efforts of the ‘Maize Action Group’ will lead to success in the mid to long term.
Concerns or Risks about the use of GM technologies:
1. Food security – monopoly of MNCs in Food chain supply.
2. Genetic perturbations leading to the production of unintended compounds, new disease.
India has recently taken proactive steps with GMO cotton, and GMO mustard is currently under active consideration. Therefore, the author proposes a broad consultation involving all stakeholders, including maize producers, poultry associations, and the Government of India, to move forward with a prudent decision on GMO maize that benefits everyone.
Dr D.K. Dey, Immeureka Animal Health
