04.02.2011 | permalink
Farmer groups here on Wednesday called upon an expert committee appointed by the Rajasthan Government to recommend annulment of a controversial agreement signed with the US-based multinational biotechnology company Monstanto in July last year for assistance in agricultural research and promotion of genetically modified seeds on the pretext of supply of hybrid seeds to farmers in the State. [...] The three groups pointed out that Monsanto has had a controversial history in India forcing the farmers into a ”mounting debt trap” after their failed trials of the GM seeds, which led to the poor crop yields, increased need for pesticides and the compulsion to use seeds sold by the multinational giant at very high prices.