Pakistan: Farmers Want GM Corn
The farming community last week urged the government to approve the genetically modified corn, which is being planted successfully across the globe, for commercial plantation in Pakistan.
The farming community last week urged the government to approve the genetically modifiedcorn, which is being planted successfully across the globe, for commercial plantation in Pakistan.
The farmers, belonging to Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dapalpur and Chichawatni, made thedemand during a meeting with the senior officials of Monsanto Pakistan, a leading agriculturalcompany. Media representatives were also present on the occasion.
During the meeting, which was held here in Sahiwal, Monsanto Pakistan’s senior officialsanswered the queries of farmers and media representatives relating to biotechnology ingeneral and company’s GM corn product “VT Double Pro” in particular.
The corn seeds have been genetically modified to have agronomic desirable traits. Traits thathave been engineered into corn include resistance to insect pests and herbicide tolerance.
It means that GM corn makes a protein that kills various insect pests without the use ofinsecticides. Besides, it can also control the losses caused by weeds.
During the meeting, the farmers as well as media representatives were informed that thefield trials of Monsanto Pakistans GM corn product have been completed successfully andnow only official approval by the government authorities was required to formally launchthe product in Pakistan.