India needs a seed policy: Jairam Ramesh

New Delhi, Feb 9

Environment and Forests Minister Jairam Ramesh Tuesday said India needs to have a seed policy and the country's agriculture should not be dependent on the private sector seed industry.

"We should have a seed policy and I think seeds are as important as space and nuclear sector. We have the Seeds Bill pending since 2004, we need to look at our own seed industry. I believe in the fundamental primacy of public sector seed industry," Ramesh told reporters here.

He said that Indian agriculture sector should not be dependent on the private sector seed industry.

"I believe the public sector is absolutely important in biotechnology in agriculture. We cannot be dependent on private sector biotechnology in agriculture. Biotechnology in health and industry is separate but biotechnology in agriculture is unique," he said.

According to Ramesh, had the two genetically modified varieties - Bt Brinjal and Bt Cotton - come from public sector, the present controversy would not have risen.

Last updated on Feb 9^th, 2010 at 20:54 pm IST--IANS

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