logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2023
18m 42s

GM mustard in India

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Could growing genetically modified mustard be the answer to oil shortages in India? Each year India spends billions of dollars importing 70 percent of its cooking oil from other countries like Argentina, Malaysia and Brazil.

We speak to a farmer struggling to make a profit growing un-modified mustard crops. We also explore the debate in India around genetically modified food crops and speak to one farmer already growing genetically modified cotton.

Presenter / producer: Devina Gupta Image: Cotton farmer Ganesh Nanote; Credit: Ganesh Nanote

Up next
Today
The cocoa conundrum
<p>Can Europe be weaned off cheap chocolate? EU efforts to block cocoa linked to deforestation were due to come into force at the end of this year – but have faced multiple delays. Another vote is due to take place soon. Some parties are pushing for further delay and modification ... Show More
20m 42s
Yesterday
Is this the end for South East Asia's scam centres?
<p>It’s one of the biggest human trafficking operations of modern times. Scam centres across South East Asia have been making hundreds of billions of dollars annually, it’s estimated, conning people into fake crypto-currency investment schemes. </p><p>But now these centres could ... Show More
18m 29s
Nov 24
Monetising Machu Picchu
<p>Peru is home to Machu Picchu - the ancient Inca city in the Andes mountains. </p><p>It's one of the seven wonders of the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The popular tourist destination attracts millions of visitors, making it very lucrative for the government, local a ... Show More
17m 38s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2023
The growth of GM food
Genetically-modified food has long been a subject of debate. It was first introduced to market in the United States in the mid 90s. Since then, some governments have approved the cultivation and sale of GM food, whilst others have had bans in place. In this programme, we look at ... Show More
31m 48s
May 2021
Could we turn poisonous plants into edible crops?
<p>There are over 400,000 species of plant on earth, they’re on every continent including Antarctica. But humans only regularly eat about 200 species globally, with the vast majority of our nutrition coming from just three species. Many of the fruits, leaves and tubers that other ... Show More
27m 59s
Oct 2021
Will cutting fossil fuels hurt India’s food security?
<p>India’s place in the latest Global Hunger Index has dropped by seven spots. And food security in India could be hampered by our plan to use ethanol as a substitute for fossil fuels. In today’s episode for 18th October 2021, we explore what this means for India.</p> 
4m 24s
Mar 2015
India
We visit India, a country of one and a quarter billion people, predicted to overtake China, the world's second largest economy, and the only other country with over a billion people.But China and India have two fundamentally different economies. China's meteoric rise was driven b ... Show More
26m 48s
Apr 2024
Pour reconstituer ses stocks de blé, l'Inde en appelle aux négociants
À la veille des élections parlementaires, l'Inde demande aux négociants en blé de ne pas se précipiter sur la nouvelle récolte : l'État a besoin de reconstituer au plus vite ses réserves, pour continuer à mettre en œuvre ses programmes d'aide aux plus démunis. Chaque année, l'Éta ... Show More
1m 40s
Oct 2022
Will Kenya benefit from GMOs?
Kenya has recently lifted a ban on the cultivation and import of genetically modified goods. The country is facing the worst droughts for 40 years and there are concerns that millions could be at risk of food insecurity. These GMO’s - genetically modified organisms - are species ... Show More
18m 14s
Jun 2021
Is cannabis Africa’s next big crop?
The age of cannabis has begun – or has it? Morocco has become the latest country in Africa to allow farmers to grow cannabis for medicinal and industrial use. Entrepreneurs say there’s good money to be made by exporting the crop to the rest of the world. But how big is this oppor ... Show More
14m 26s