GM Crops
As per the report of International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, 2018, India ranks 5th in the global cultivation of GM crops. Bt. cotton is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in the Country. The State-wise area under Bt. cotton cultivation during the last three years is at Annexure-I.
The approval of any new genetically modified crop is given on a case to case basis after thorough scientific evaluation of health and environment safety as per applicable guidelines made under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rules, 1989.
Annexure-I
State wise area under Bt. cotton cultivation during last three years:
(Area in lakh hectare)
| STATE | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 6.50 | 4.59 | 6.41 |
| Telangana | 16.61 | 13.80 | 18.84 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 4.86 | 5.39 | 4.82 |
| Gujarat | 26.23 | 20.25 | 22.49 |
| Maharashtra | 34.40 | 32.35 | 37.86 |
| Karnataka | 4.87 | 3.03 | 4.50 |
| Tamil Nadu | 0.99 | 1.08 | 1.80 |
| Punjab | 3.33 | 2.43 | 2.86 |
| Haryana | 5.27 | 3.64 | 6.21 |
| Rajasthan | 3.56 | 2.87 | 4.96 |
| Total Area | 106.62 | 89.43 | 110.75 |
Source: Directorate of Cotton Development, Nagpur
This Information was given by the Minister of State for Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
