Global seed technology major Monsanto’s Indian subsidiary said it would submit final trial results for its genetically modified (GM) corn to lawmakers within a year.
As cited in Reuters, Monsanto India CEO Shilpa Divekar Nirula said the commercial launch will then be decided by the government.
Nirula was quoted by the news agency as saying: "We are close to the final stage in corn.
"We finished the trial in last kharif (June-October) in Maharashtra state; that is harvested and completed."
Currently, India does not permit cultivation of GM food crops. However, the new Narendra Modi-led government is now encouraging open field trials after a five-year de facto ban.
In November last year, environment minister Prakash Javadekar reportedly said that there is no ban on GM crop field trials either by the government or the Supreme Court, The Hindu said.
According to Reuters, the company will submit the data within a year after finishing trials that began about six years ago.
Monsanto claims that the resulting corn will be insect- and herbicide-tolerant, and also will help to raise production by 15-20%.
In India, the company is also facing opposition from local and international activists, who argue that that it will monopolise the seed market in the country.
