Indian Agriculture - Under the shadow of the 'Nuclear Deal'

Abraham Thomas, Bangalore, India

14 March 2006
2 March, 2006. Banglaore
The English 'TALKING' in India are constantly watching news about the "Nuclear Deal" 24/7, while nothing is being heard about larger deals taking place secretly. Agricultural liberalization is the "biggest deal" being clinched in the sidelines of the US-India summit. While the neoliberal pundits in india push for a greater economy, the means they adopt will be justified with the money that is coming in. USD 100 milion for the second green revolution, greener than ever before. It is said that the state of Andhra Pradesh will showcase 'ideal' farmers. Ideal farmers clearly means large, rich, corporate farmers.

On the 7th of February 2006, the US won a landmark judgment at the WTO (US wins WTO backing in war with Europe over GM food, Guardian) against the EU blocking imports of genetically modified crops from the US. During the hearing of this crucial case, the Bush administration had argued that the EU moratorium had had a chilling effect on the development of GM crops around the world, to the detriment of global food production. "We wanted biotech products to be judged on their merits, not by a political process," another US trade official said.
Bottom line - this judgment wont have any impact on European people, because more than 170 regions, and 4500 smaller areas of the EU are clearly against genetically modified foods and crops. Besides, the EU has rigorous mechanisms and ways to avoid such imports, adding to the already conscious population about the ill effects of gene technology based foods and their products.
Sue Meyer, of the watchdog group Genewatch said immediately after the judgement, "I do not expect this decision to change European law, but it will be used by the US government to pressure countries around the world to further liberalise trade rules,"
EU is closed, Latin America is a strict NO! NO - Condolences!! Where then will the US sell its private knowledge, food and technology? Like done in "secret renditions", "extreme torture experiments on foreign fighters", developing nations are the main target of the US policy. "India should bag the deal now, or India will remain in the wrong side of the fence", is the English Media's constant rhetoric to the Indian Middle class 24x7.
Last week EU lost 38 diplomats in the US missions in the region, the prime countries that gain are India and China. Even then, why so suddenly, and why so that quickly?
Genetically modified crops in India have been thwarted in India in the interest of its farmers by the its Supreme Court in the past, and the only way such acts can be nullified is to change the way Indian think tank on agriculture thinks. Now India will be forced to change with the funds coming in, a big deal - 100 million US dollars for 'biotechnology', research into 'ideal farming practices', 'food processing' and 'transport of agricultural products'. While P. Sainath continues to report farmer’s suicides in Maharastra and many more reports trickle in, the likely answer to the issue is biotechnology, and the neo-liberal gurus will spare no stone to justify the India-US relationship.
Its secret rendition time for India's rich diversity, cropping and practices. Wal Mart and Monsanto will be heroes soon, stocks will rise and the farmers will fall. The indian urban classes will be fed with the chain of genetically modified foods, and thanks to the beloved Hon'ble President of India to have given the Indian dreamers an introduction to what was to come up at the G. W. Bush's visit, a second dream revolution.
Reading:
1. US wins WTO backing in war with Europe over GM food
(8/2/2006)http://www.guardian.co.uk/gmdebate/Story/0,,1705031,00.html
2. Monsanto's profits slashed in India / Sowing seeds of misery (8/2/2006) http://www.gmwatch.org/archive2.asp?arcid=6220
3.India needs another Green Revolution: Kalam http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20060206/world.htm
4. http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=18648
5.http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=117175