VZCZCXRO0869
RR RUEHBI RUEHCI
DE RUEHCG #0043/01 0180507
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 180507Z JAN 07
FM AMCONSUL CHENNAI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0567
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2196
RUEHBI/AMCONSUL MUMBAI 4937
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA 0677

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CHENNAI 000043 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD ECIN TBIO IN
SUBJECT: TAMIL NADU RICE FARMERS DISRUPT GM CROP TRIALS 
 
 
¶1. Summary: Farmers in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu destroyed a 
trial crop of genetically modified rice grown from seeds provided by 
Mahyco, Monsanto's Indian affiliate, on November 12.  Local farmers 
allege the trial did not meet Indian bio-safety standards and said 
they feared possible "contamination" of local seed varieties. 
Despite a press release backing Mahyco from the Tamil Nadu 
Agricultural University (TNAU), which oversaw the trials, farmers 
remain wary.  Monsanto's India representatives blame 
misrepresentation and poor handling of public relations by Mahyco. 
The Tamil Nadu government remains non-committal about the 
introduction of GM rice in the state.  It is, however, interested in 
the development of rice varieties capable of handling moisture 
stress as a possible solution to the state's frequent droughts.  The 
M.S. Swaminathan Foundation (MSSRF), a center for genetic research 
in plants located in Tamil Nadu, has introduced specific genes from 
Avicenia Marina, a mangrove species, into rice that maintains 
productivity while improving drought and salinity tolerance. 
Experts at MSSRF told post that a closer interface with local 
farmers that takes into account their needs will ensure 
disturbance-free trials.  End summary 
 
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Farmers destroy trial rice crop over bio-safety fears 
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¶2. Farmers belonging to the Tamil Agriculture Protection Group and 
the Tamil Nadu Farmers Association uprooted a trial crop of 
genetically modified rice on November 12, 2006 at Ramanathapuram 
village in Coimbatore district.  The farmers alleged that the trials 
conducted by Mahyco contravened Indian bio-safety standards.  The 
crop, a modified Bt rice variety with genetic resistance to two rice 
crop pests - stem borer and leaf roller, was undergoing field 
trials.  Although Mahyco is affiliated with Monsanto, the GM rice 
trials are wholly the responsibility of Mahyco. 
 
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Mahyco denies violation 
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¶3. Mahyco denies violating Indian bio-safety standards and asserts 
that the company has fulfilled all requirements.  Mahyco's General 
Manager, Dr. Mahendra Sharma, told post that the rice crop had not 
reached flowering stage when the precautions need to be taken to 
prevent cross pollination with other crops. He asserted that the 
farmer on whose plot the trials were conducted was informed clearly 
that genetically engineered seeds were to be tested.  This point was 
contested in the media by green activists. 
 
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Tamil Nadu Agricultural University endorses Mahyco 
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¶4. In a November 13 press release, the Tamil Nadu Agricultural 
University (TNAU) endorsed the trials and stated Mahyco had met all 
Indian bio-safety requirements.  The press release was carried by a 
local English language daily, but otherwise found little traction in 
other local media.  Stories that mostly reported activist fears got 
more column space, drowning out Mahyco's public relations effort. 
 
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Monsanto alleges misinformation by activist groups 
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¶5. Farmers were misinformed that Genetic Use Restriction 
Technologies (GURT) were implanted in the trial crop, Monsanto's 
Administrative Officer told post.  He believes Mahyco had not done 
enough to explain to the local community what the trials were all 
about.  Consequently, charges of secrecy in the conduct of trials 
were made against the company.  Monsanto India has treated the issue 
as a problem for its Indian affiliate and not directly related to 
Monsanto itself.  Activist groups have tried in vain to get public 
attention to the close relationship between Monsanto and Mahyco. 
 
 
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Government wants GM rice that reduces water use 
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¶6. The Tamil Nadu government remains non-committal on the adoption 
of genetically modified rice.  The state's agriculture secretary 
told post that the government is aware of the stagnation in 
productivity of rice.  The state recognizes that genetically 
modified seeds could be an answer to their problem, but officials 
point out that the genetic traits that are sought to be introduced 
must be in line with farmer requirements.  The state agriculture 
secretary noted that pest attacks have not devastated the rice crop 
 
SIPDIS 
in Tamil Nadu during the past decade.  Good management and judicious 
use of pesticides have kept losses in check.  The shortage of water 
for irrigation in Tamil Nadu, the agriculture secretary says, favors 
testing of rice seed varieties that reduce water consumption while 
ensuring no productivity loss. 
 
CHENNAI 00000043  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
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Scientists recommend closer interaction with farmers 
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¶7. Working with farmers along the Puducherry-Tamil Nadu border, 
researchers at the MSSRF, a center for research in plant genetics 
with a focus on rice, have developed genetically modified rice 
seeds.  These seeds contain specific genes from the mangrove species 
Avicennia Marina which improve the salinity tolerance and drought 
resistance of rice.  Field trials of the rice variety have been 
conducted at three locations along the Tamil Nadu coast where soil 
salinity and water availability are major constraints.  Farmers were 
involved in the planning and conduct of the trials, the program 
director biotechnology at MSSRF told post. 
 
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Involvement of neutral observers best bet for Mahyco 
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¶8. Comment: Experts at MSSRF who have successfully conducted field 
trials using modified rice varieties told post that in order for 
crop trials to be successful, the entire village community needs to 
be informed and involved.  Seed traits should be explained fully to 
the farmers, with a credible non-governmental agency endorsing what 
the company says.  Allaying farmers' fears of a stealthy 
introduction of GURT is something that companies such as Mahyco will 
have to continually keep in mind. End Comment. 
 
¶9. This message was coordinated with Embassy New Delhi. 
 
HOPPER