Webinar on “GM Soybean: Status and Biosafety Aspects” organized

29th November, 2021, Indore

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Biotech Consortium India Limited (BCIL), New Delhi jointly organized a Webinar on “GM Soybean: Status and Biosafety Aspects” today.

Dr. Amrish Kumar Tyagi, ADG (Animal Nutrition & Physiology), ICAR discussed the nutritional deficit in the animal feed, particularly, in dairy sector and subsequent impacts on milk production. Dr. Tyagi accentuated that the increase in animal sector productivity can contribute for doubling the farmer’s income.

Dr. Sujit K. Dutta, Joint Commissioner, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying stated about the nutritional requirements of the livestock sector and challenges being faced. He also underlined about 4% to 5% contribution of the livestock sector to the GDP. The need of balanced compound animal feed for livestock rearing and the continuous increase in demand in view of increase in domestic consumption and exports, particularly, aqua sector was highlighted by Dr. Dutta.

Dr. Nita Khandekar, Director, ICAR-IISR, Indore emphasized that the research readiness on using the advanced technologies, be it genetic engineering or gene editing, for Soybean Crop improvement is important. She emphasized on the multi-trait tolerant varieties as the need of the hour for increased production and productivity. Dr. Khandekar also stressed on the need of research for the development of single GM Crop harbouring multiple traits like drought-tolerant, insect and disease resistant and improved seed composition traits, etc to fulfil the demand of Soybean and Soy-based products of the farmers and Soybean processing industries.

Dr. Vibha Ahuja, Chief General Manager, BCIL, New Delhi  highlighted the Webinar’s main objective to create awareness among the scientists and other stakeholders engaged in Soybean research, production, processing and using the Soybean products for food and feed purposes.

Dr. B. Dinesh Kumar, Former Director, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition underlined the safety assessment methodologies of the GM Crops.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Soybean Research, Indore, Madhya Pradesh)