India: Agricultural Biotechnology Annual

Over the past two decades, India’s political landscape continues to hinder the developments in agriculture biotechnology. Bt cotton (Bacillus thuringiensis) approved in 2002 remains the sole biotech-derived crop approved for commercial cultivation. Despite regulatory clearances for environmental release of GE eggplant and mustard events, the approval remains stuck under judicial review and political considerations. Soybean and canola oils from select GE soybean and canola events, and some food ingredients from microbial biotechnology are approved for import. On July 29, 2024, India’s apex regulatory authority recommended the imports of GE alfalfa hay from the United States subject to other statutory clearances. Formal notification is pending. On July 23, 2024, the Supreme Court of India directed the Indian government to evolve a national policy on genetically modified crops by holding national consultation with all stakeholders within the next four months.