Agriculture Ministry Roundtable Calls for Faster Approvals of GM and Genome-Edited Crops
Agriculture Ministry Roundtable Calls for Faster Approvals of GM and Genome-Edited Crops
IN · Published Jul 27, 2026
A high-level roundtable organized by the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Federation of Seed Industry of India (FSII), has advocated for science-based regulatory reforms to expedite the approval processes for genetically modified (GM) and genome-edited (GE) crops in India.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare stated that participants reached a consensus on the need for a more efficient, transparent, and globally competitive biotechnology regulatory system while maintaining high biosafety standards.

Impact & Risks

The proposed reforms aim to enhance India's agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and nutritional security, benefiting farmers and the agricultural sector. However, the adoption of GM and GE crops may face resistance from environmental groups and public concerns over biosafety. Ensuring a balanced regulatory framework that safeguards human health, biodiversity, and the environment will be critical to mitigating risks and gaining public trust.

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