PKRC opposes commercialisation of GM maize

LAHORE: The Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee (PKRC) has strongly opposed the government’s decision in principle to commercialise genetically modified (GM) maize and demanded a complete ban on the cultivation, commercialisation, import and release of genetically modified crops in Pakistan. In a statement issued on Tuesday, PKRC Central President Tariq Mehmood, Central General Secretary Riffat Maqsood and Central Joint Secretary Qammar Abbas said the decision taken by the government’s Committee on GM Corn on August 31 was being presented as a scientific and evidence-based approach towards “co-existence” of GM and non-GM maize. However, it argued that the introduction of GM crops could pose risks to farmers’ seeds, agricultural biodiversity and ecological systems. PKRC said the decision should be viewed in the context of what it described as increasing commercialisation and corporate control of Pakistan’s seed system. It referred to the Seed (Amendment) Act 2015, Plant Breeders’ Rights Act 2016, Plant Breeders’ Rights Rules 2018 and National Seed Policy 2024, besides recent biotechnology and biosafety policy measures. The committee argued that GM maize could further increase farmers’ dependence on proprietary commercial seeds and associated agricultural inputs, raising concerns about farmers’ control over seeds and genetic resources. It said the issue was not simply whether a particular GM variety could increase crop yields, but also concerned who would control the genetic foundation of agricultural production. PKRC particularly raised concerns over maize being a wind-pollinated crop, saying cross-pollination could potentially transfer GM traits to non-GM crops and local seed systems. It maintained that farmers cultivating non-GM maize should not be exposed to contamination risks or additional production costs resulting from the introduction of GM varieties. The committee also expressed concern that expansion of GM agriculture could encourage monoculture and genetic uniformity and undermine locally adapted crop varieties and farmer-managed biodiversity. Rejecting claims that GM maize could increase production by 15-30 percent, PKRC said Pakistan’s agricultural problems were rooted in structural challenges, including water insecurity, high input costs, inadequate public agricultural research and extension services, weak farmer markets, climate shocks and problems in agricultural value chains. PKRC leaders also called for greater investment in public agricultural research, farmer-led breeding programmes and locally adapted, climate-resilient agricultural systems. PKRC also criticised the exclusion of farmer organisations from decision-making on the future of seeds and food production, saying peasants and small farmers should have a meaningful role in such decisions. They demanded a permanent ban on cultivation, commercialisation, import, release and field deployment of GM crops, including GM maize under any technology, licence or corporate arrangement. They also called for protection of indigenous, local and farmer-bred seed varieties and recognition of farmers’ rights to save, reproduce, exchange and develop seeds. PKRC urged the government to strengthen public-sector research and farmer-controlled seed systems and move towards diversified and agroecological farming. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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