Bt brinjal: A loss-making project

A few months ago, we heard a lot about Bt brinjal. Many said that these genetically modified brinjals would be pest-resistant so the farmers wouldn't have to incur losses. Others said that marketing of Bt brinjal deserves more scientific research as it is not sure whether it will have any negative effect on human health or not. Finally, the government gave its consent for cultivating Bt brinjal and then, like many other issues, we all forgot this one, too.

But it has come to our notice again. On September 1, 2014, newspapers reported that farmers who cultivated Bt brinjals are no more interested to cultivate it again as they incurred heavy losses. Not only did they not get the high yield as promised by the agriculture ministry and BARI, but also found the plants wilted and dead.

It is alarming to note that Bt brinjals are being sold in Rangpur without labels violating the law, and consumers can't differentiate between normal brinjals and the modified ones.

We demand a stop to farming and marketing of Bt brinjal. Enough research is needed to assess the impact of this genetically modified crop on human health.

Rubaiya Hossain
On e-mail