Propagated Myths About GM Technology and the Plain Truth

We are going through an uneasy period wherein the world's largest economy (USA) is putting pressure on India, world's fastest-growing economy, to open our food, feed, and fuel market in favor of their GM crops and technologies.

- Dr. Krishan Bir Chaudhary

A few vested interest groups in India run campaigns supporting the introduction of more genetically modified (GM) crops and import of GM maize to compete with domestically produced crops.

Is GM technology a magic bullet, as is being made out to be, to address the challenges confronting Indian agriculture?

India has been growing Bt cotton, a product of GM technology, for over 20 years. Has the Bt cotton lived up to the lofty promises it came with?

It's time to have a critical analysis leading to clarity and demystification.

As a responsible leader for the farming community in India, I do not give opinions without evidence. This article, as usual, carries our considered opinion based on strong evidence and objective data.

Does GM technology increase the inherent yield potential of the seeds?

GM crops do not enhance the inherent yield potential of the seeds/plants.

GM crops can only indirectly contribute to better yields by reducing crop losses due to pests, diseases, or weeds—similar to the application of pesticides and weedicides.

It is the traditional breeding, including hybrid technology, that increases the inherent yield potential of crops due to "heterosis" (hybrid vigor).

Traditional breeding techniques continue to be a major growth driver of crop yields and agricultural production.

The claim that GM technology consistently increases the crop yield is not supported by evidence.

Let me give an example of Bt cotton in India.

Bt cotton yields in India. Source: Cotton Corporation of India (Accessed on 8th August 2025)