Bangalore, Feb 18, 2010: The partnerships between public and private companies in the Agri-biotech sector have been crucial for the success of GM crops in India.

Dr Biswanath. Mazumdar, Vice President, Bejo Sheetal Seeds Pvt. Ltd., Jalna, Maharashtra in his brief interaction with Biospectrum, shares the success story of public private partnership for development of Bt Brinjal and its commercialization.

I would say it is a great thing. Because it is better to eat Bt Brinjal (eggplant or aubergine) instead of insecticide contaminated Brinjal.

How has been the Bt Brinjal, an example of Public-private partnership?

In Bt Brinjal through the Public-private partnership, IARI developed Bt Brinjal event which is really has a better impact to control shoot and fruit borer effectively. This technology first taken by Bejo Sheetal Seeds four year back and already incurred a sizeable amount of money for different tests to commercialize the same for better Brinjal production and to improve socio-economic condition of vegetable farmers.

NRCPV, IARI, New Delhi has developed Bt Brinjal technology indigenously and collaborated with Beejo Sheetal Seeds, Jalna for technology application and commercialization. Bt Brinjal was developed using a transformation process similar to the one used in the development of Bt Cotton. Bt Brinjal has enormous potential for both farmers and consumers.

What are the major bt crops that are being breeded at Bejo Sheetal Seeds?

Presently, Brinjal is the major Bt crop and after that Tomato, Okra, Cauliflower and Onion will come.

Can you provide a brief idea about the collaborations of Bejo Sheetal Seeds in agri biotech sector?

Bejo Sheetal made all the collaborations to receive transgenic technologies from the Public Institutes both in India and Abroad. Moreover, some projects are in pipeline in collaboration with Leading Agriculture Institutes and Universities.

What is your response to the safety and environmental concerns being raised on the issue?

In my opinion, whatever the Biosafety and Environment safety imposed by the regulatory authority in India, are sufficient to address concern problems. It can be noted that these issues are under continuous evaluation process that is why the new Biosafety rule has been adopted by the government during 2008.

What are the future prospects of bt Brinjal in particular and biotech crops in general in India?

Future prospect of Bt Brinjal in particular and corps are in general, in India, it is very bright. With the experience of Bt Cotton, it is clear that Bt technology is good and beneficial. Rational people will definitely accept the same sooner or later.