GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD

• The report estimated that India’s domestic demand for maize would rise significantly from about 34.7 million tonnes (mt) in 2022–23 to 62.8 mt by 2040 and further to 93 mt by 2050 under a moderate GDP growth rate of 4.6% annually. Similarly, the demand for soybean meal is expected to increase from 6.2 mt to 17.7 mt in 2040 and reach 28.3 mt by 2050.
• Under a faster economic growth scenario of 6.6% per year, the projected demand is much higher. Maize consumption could reach 98 mt by 2040 and surge to 200.2 mt by 2050. Correspondingly, soybean meal demand may increase to 30.9 mt in 2040 and expand sharply to 68.3 mt by 2050.
• Since domestic production may not be sufficient to meet this rising demand, substantial imports would be required. According to projections, maize imports could reach 11 mt by 2040 and 26 mt by 2050, while soybean meal imports may increase to 6 mt and 13 mt respectively under the moderate growth scenario.
• The importance of this report lies in both its timing and context, as maize and soybean meal are essential components of animal feed.
• Cereal grains such as maize, wheat, rice, sorghum, and others primarily provide carbohydrates, which serve as the main energy source for poultry, livestock, and aquaculture species. Soybean typically contains around 18–22% oil, and after oil extraction, the remaining by-product known as soybean meal is rich in protein.
• This protein-rich meal is a crucial ingredient in feed for poultry, cattle, and aquaculture, along with other oilseed meals such as mustard, cottonseed, and groundnut. Additionally, rice bran and wheat bran, which are by-products of milling, also contribute protein and nutrients to animal feed.
• For example, poultry feed for broiler chickens usually contains about 55–65% maize, while feed for egg-laying birds contains around 50–60%. In cattle feed, maize constitutes approximately 15–20%.
• As incomes rise, urbanisation expands, and India’s population is expected to reach at least 1.5 billion by 2050, dietary patterns are likely to shift significantly.
• People will increasingly consume foods rich in protein and micronutrients rather than relying mainly on cereals and basic staples.
• In the case of maize, out of the projected total production of 43 mt in 2025–26, nearly 24 mt is expected to be used for animal feed. Currently, most feed raw materials are sourced from domestic agricultural production.
• India’s total compound feed production is estimated at around 60 mt, including about 40 mt for poultry, 18 mt for cattle, and 2 mt for aquaculture and shrimp farming.
• Although the organised feed industry largely depends on domestic raw materials, it has recently shown interest in importing maize and soybean to meet growing demand.
• However, a major barrier is that maize and soybean grown in countries like the United States, Brazil, and Argentina are mostly genetically modified (GM).
• Under the bilateral trade agreement with the United States, India has continued its restriction on importing GM maize and soybean. However, it has allowed imports of certain alternative feed ingredients.
• One such product is red sorghum, with the United States being the world’s leading producer and exporter, expected to produce about 11 mt and export 5.4 mt in 2025–26.
• Another permitted import is distillers’ dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a by-product of ethanol production. Maize contains around 70% starch, 8–10% protein, and 3–4% oil, with the remaining portion consisting of the husk.
• During ethanol production, the starch is converted into glucose, which is fermented using yeast to produce alcohol and then distilled into ethanol. After ethanol extraction, the remaining fermented grain residue is dried to produce DDGS, which is rich in nutrients and used as animal feed.
• In India, ethanol distilleries already supply more than 3 mt of DDGS annually to the feed sector, and this is expected to increase to 4.2 mt by 2025–26. Imports of DDGS from the United States would supplement domestic supplies, even though it is derived from GM maize.
• In summary, India has not yet permitted direct imports of genetically modified maize or soybean or their meal from the United States. However, it has allowed limited imports through alternative products such as sorghum and DDGS, thereby creating a partial opening for feed ingredient imports

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are created by altering the genetic makeup of a living organism through the insertion of external genetic material. In agricultural biotechnology, genes are often sourced from soil-dwelling bacteria and introduced into a plant’s genome using genetic engineering techniques.

The term GMO is broad and encompasses genetically modified crops as one category within it. GM crops refer specifically to agricultural plants whose DNA has been intentionally modified to incorporate beneficial traits. These modifications are typically aimed at improving productivity, enhancing resistance to pests and herbicides, and enabling crops to tolerate harsh climatic conditions.

At present, Bt cotton is the only genetically modified crop permitted for commercial cultivation in India. No genetically modified food crop has been approved for large-scale farming, although field trials and research experiments are ongoin