Syllabus:
GS3: Transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.
Context:
India is planning to implement measures to restrict the import of genetically modified (GM) alfalfa (lucerne) fodder seed, amid U.S. pressure to lower import duties for greater access to the Indian market.
More on the news:
- Scientists may have to develop an easy test kit so that it can be verified before unloading.
- Currently, alfalfa seeds are not imported, as India has been growing the crop domestically. Domestically-produced alfalfa seed is available in the market in the range of ₹500-800/kg, whereas the imported seeds cost higher due to import duty.
- India imports Berseem seeds for fodder purposes from Egypt and some Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.
- The US is the world’s largest alfalfa producer, where it is grown mostly under rainfed conditions and the yield is also lower when compared with the same crop grown under irrigation.
About Alfalfa
- Alfalfa is a flowering plant, also known as buffalo herb, lucerne, or purple medic.
- It is a perennial, deep-rooted legume native to Southwestern Asia.
- Widely cultivated as a high-yielding forage crop, it is often called the “Queen of Forages”.
- Alfalfa plants typically live and produce forage for 4 to 8 years.
- The name alfalfa is derived from the Arabic word “al-fasfasa”, meaning “the best forage”.
- It is used for grazing, hay, and silage, as well as a green manure and cover crop.
- Some pests, such as the alfalfa weevil, aphids, and potato leafhopper, can reduce alfalfa yields dramatically.
- Like other legumes, its root nodules contain bacteria, Sinorhizobium meliloti, with the ability to fix nitrogen, producing a high-protein feed regardless of available nitrogen in the soil.
- Its nitrogen-fixing ability (which increases soil nitrogen) and its use as an animal feed greatly improve agricultural efficiency.
- It is insect-pollinated which means that insects collect the alfalfa pollen (from purple alfalfa flowers) and distribute it to other individual plants.
Genetically Modified plants
- The Indian government is empowered to regulate the entry of genetically modified (GM) organisms under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
- Genetically modified (GM) seeds/plants are developed by application of modern biotechnology wherein basic genetic material (DNA) has been altered using genetic engineering (GE) techniques.
Genetically Modified (GM) Alfalfa (lucerne)
GM alfalfa is genetically engineered for:
- Herbicide resistance (especially to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup).
- Reduced lignin content for improved digestibility in livestock feed.
• GM alfalfa contains a gene from E. coli that enables it to survive glyphosate application.
• Developed by Monsanto, which holds the patent for GM alfalfa technology.
Advantages of GM alfalfa:
- Higher yields
- Reduced weed control costs
UPSC Mains Practice Question:
Q. In light of India’s regulatory stance on genetically modified organisms, critically evaluate the implications of importing genetically modified (GM) alfalfa seeds on agriculture, trade policy, and fodder security.