India’s oilseed production should be linked to food security

The Centre’s decision to allow the import of 1.2 million tonnes (MT) of crushed and de-oiled genetically modified (GM) soya cake or soyameal has landed Maharashtra’s soya producers in trouble. Maharashtra, along with Madhya Pradesh, is one of the leading soya producing States. Together, these States contribute an estimated 89 per cent of the total production in India.

Market experts draw attention to the fact that recently India exported about 19 lakh tonne soyameal to other countries. This soyameal was non-GM and hence was in demand in the world market. However, India’s poultry sector faced a shortage of soyameal and the government decided to import GM soya cake. The result was immediate.