A top agricultural research official’s idea that India’s age-old plant genetic resources can be made available to MNCs in return for better technology for farmers has invited criticism from non-governmental groups as well as individuals. [...] But several groups and noted persons - such as Vandana Shiva from Navdanya, Prof. Anil Sadgopal, former dean, faculty of education, University of Delhi, Dr G. V. Ramanjaneyulu, centre for sustainable agriculture, and Dr K. Babu Rao, convener, movement for people centred development - have written to the PM and the agricultural ministry against Datta’s statement, saying that such collaborations only fill up the MNCs’ pockets.