Hugh Dang
Transnational Corporations Review, Canada
Brad Gilmour
Mouralea Trade, Agriculture, and Resource Consulting, Canada
Nawal Kishor
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), India
India is one of the most significant emerging economies in the world. With a population of over 1.2 billion, India’s agri-biotech development from cotton and brinjal (eggplant) to other crops as well as relevant trade concerns is growing in importance within a global context. While agri-biotech is still highly controversial in India, its major agri-biotech product, Bt cotton, reached 11 million hectares in 2013, an increase of 3% compared to the previous year. This represents more than 6% of the global agribiotech crop area, which ranks it at number five, right after the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada, and before China. India has been identified as one of the key markets to Canada. The market access for Canadian canola seed and canola oil in India is complicated by several issues, including the GM regulatory issue. This article discusses aspects of India’s agri-biotech crops, including the current status, policy development, and institutions. It also looks into its potential impact of agriculture and trade on Canada and the rest of the world.
Key words: India, agri-biotech, policies and regulations, institutions, BRAI.