Asian countries are getting good responses from the field trials of genetically modified rice, but the first commercial crop may be at least three years away, the head of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) said on Thursday.
Director-General Ronald P. Cantrell said on the sidelines of the Thailand Rice Convention 2004 field trials were going on in China, India and the Philippines and the governments were studying the benefits closely before taking the plunge.
"Field trials are on but it could be three years on the lower side and five years on the higher side to see the first genetically modified rice crop," Cantrell told Reuters.
The debate surrounding biotech grains has intensified, with non-governmental organisations mounting protests worldwide as they argue such crops pose health hazards.
Supporters say they help boost productivity and lower production costs in addition to boosting nutritional content. This month, biotech giant Monsanto Co shelved plans to introduce the world's first biotech wheat it had developed over six years.
Cantrell said rice yields would have to rise at least one percent annually over the next 30 years to keep up with an expanding population. IRRI projects the number of people eating rice will almost double to 4.6 billion by 2025.
"On the genetically modified variety of rice that is being currently tested in the Philippines, the feedback so far has been that the resistance to diseases is good and it will have an impact on the productivity," he said.
The Philippines is the first country in Asia to plant biotech corn commercially and government officials say they will encourage more genetically modified crops after adequate testing.
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