by UBINIG

A Human chain Rally was organised by Nayakrishi Andolon, UBINIG and Narigrantha Prabartana to protest against the efforts to introduce GMO seeds in Bangladesh. Over two hundred farmers and activists attended it from different organisations. The Nayakrishi farmers came from different districts such as Tangail, Pabna, Natore, Chapainababganj, Kushtia, Noakhali, Cox'sbazar. The other organisations who joined the programme were Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) SUPRO, VOICE, Prodip, BAPA, Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB), BARSCIK etc.

They expressed their concerns about the secretive efforts by the agro-multinational companies with the help of the government and the so-called scientists (basically young and inexperienced University teachers, paid by company) to promote GE rice particularly Drought and Salinity Tolerant Rice, GE eggplant (Fruit and Shoot Borer Eggplant) GE potato (Late Blight Resistant Potato). These are promoted through the Agricultural Biotechnology Support Project (ABSP II), a programme of Collaborative Agricultural Biotechnology (CABIO) Initiative supported by USAID. The international agencies are very actively helping the companies to promote GMOs in Bangladesh. Besides USAID, the Royal Danish Embassy has also joined the effort. However, the Biosafety Protocol has not yet been approved, yet the Bangladesh representative of International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) has declared that GM eggplant, potato, rice are being tested and the initiatives to import GM papaya is on the way. It shows that the companies are not even waiting to get formal approval from the government. The Rally also raised concerns about the recent initiative at the international level to endorse Terminator seeds.

Bangladesh is a country of rich biodiversity and still there are many varieties of eggplants and local variety potatoes. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute Gene bank has collections of 16 varieties of egg plant, 20 varieties of potato, and 7 varieties of papaya. The Nayakrishi farmers still have 18 different varieties of eggplant, 18 varieties of potatoes and 14 varieties of papayas. This year the Nayakrishi farmers have cultivated 1600 varieties of Aman paddy out of which 56 varieties have known nutrients particularly vitamins, (including vit. A). Therefore the promotion of GE rice (Golden rice), GM potato, eggplant and papaya are not based on real assessment of the need of farmers but for establishing control over agriculture by the Agro-chemical companies. It is feared that the local variety crops will be severely affected by such introduction and the farmers right to save seeds will be violated, farmers will be made dependent of companies, as it happened with hybrid seeds already. The threat to the environment and of human health is also a serious concern among environmental organisations and consumer and health organisations. Women's groups are particularly against the GMOs for health reasons and because it will severely affect women seed preservation rights.
It was demand at the Rally that 1. the efforts to promote GMOs should be stopped, 2. Ban the Terminator Seeds and 3.Bangladesh should be declared GMO free.

Farmers sang songs and raised slogans. They carried festoons with messages such as 'NO, NO, NO to Terminator Seeds; GMOs are harmful for health & environment; Resist GMOs Save Farmers; Declare Bangladesh GMO-Free; Women are against GMOs; Consumers are against GMOs; Bangladesh have enough Seeds, We do not Need GMO Seed.