Biotechnology “has a definite role to play” in improving Indian ag productivity and consumer nutrition and, potentially, fueling an energy-hungry nation.

That’s according to Professor K.M. Singh, ag economist and project director with India’s Agricultural Technology Management Agency. He cited progress in breeding disease and pest resistance into Indian corn and rice hybrids and government approval of insect-resistant Bt cotton.

That growth has come with some growing pains: Singh noted reports of mixed performance from Bt cotton. But Indian Ministry of Agriculture official J.P. Singh said GMO cotton growers have seen significant overall cost savings.

Amid substantial Indian biotech investment and creation of a separate government biotechnology department, the ministry official said general GMO acceptance “is not a problem.” The major hitch in India’s biotech revolution is cultural: The country’s largely Hindu population is concerned about inserting animal genes into grain or produce.

“Both the merits and demerits of any technology must be assessed in the right perspective, and only then can it be adopted,” Professor Singh stressed. “In principle, biotechnology is good, if it used in the right perspective.”

India’s biotech acceptance could translate to new U.S. export potential. India has expanded soy crushing capacity to meet internal feed-food needs, but because domestic production cannot keep pace, soy imports are necessary.

J.P. Singh said Indian consumers “don’t prefer beany flavor,” creating potential demand for specialty beans as well as beans with reduced linolenic acid content which produce oils with an extended shelf life and a healthier fat profile.

Both Monsanto and Pioneer have developed “low-lin” varieties, some with GMO Roundup Ready herbicide resistance.

Beyond cotton, the ministry official reported India has developed a “good partnership” with China in researching GMO rice. Amid malnutrition among India’s lower-income population, the Singhs cited the need for corn with elevated protein content and Vitamin A-enriched “golden rice”.

Further, J.P. Singh noted keen interest in biotech potential for horticultural crops. Swiss-based Biogen has been working with bananas, strawberries, and papaya, and the Indian government’s new Horticulture Mission project emphasizes “good planting material for the farmers,” he said.

Perhaps most intriguing is biotech’s potential role in helping India generate its own energy, improve air quality, and make use of marginal lands. Professor Singh reported Jatropha curcas, a native crop which thrives “in any environment, any climate,” can be used to produce a quality biodiesel fuel.

Unfortunately, the plant also generates a dangerous toxin. Biotechnology could help Indian growers produce an “eco-friendly,” toxin-free fuel crop, K.M. Singh suggested.

“There is a great deal of interest among the farmers for this crop,” he said. “A major portion of their cash out-go on cropping activities goes for buying diesel (fuel). If even 20 percent of their own jatropha oil can supplement their diesel needs, that is a great thing.”