Introduction and About Alfalfa

  • Alfalfa, scientifically known as Medicago sativa, is a highly nutritious plant. 
  • It is packed with vitamins such as A, C, K, and B vitamins, minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, plant-based proteins, fibre, and antioxidants. 
  • Aside from being consumed by humans for its health benefits, alfalfa is extensively used as animal fodder due to its high nutritional content.
  • As a legume, alfalfa has the added advantage of being able to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, enhancing its fertility.

 

Genetically Modified (GM) Alfalfa and Regulations

  • Genetically modified (GM) alfalfa is currently being debated by the Indian government for its inclusion in import from overseas. 
  • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, arms the Indian government with the authority to regulate the entry of GM organisms in the country. 
  • The US, the world's largest alfalfa producer, is pressuring India to decrease its import duties on the crop.

 

GM Crops Overview

  • GM foods are crops whose genes have been artificially modified, usually by introducing genetic material from another organism.
  • This genetic alteration aims to grant the plant a new property, such as increased yield, herbicide tolerance, disease or drought resistance, or enhanced nutritional value. 
  • A popular example of a GM crop is golden rice.
  • In India, commercial cultivation of only one GM crop, Bt cotton, has been approved thus far.

 

Alfalfa's importance and Other Facts

  • Alfalfa has an Arabic origin for its name al-fasfasa, which translates to 'the best forage'.
  • It is predominantly cultivated under rainfed conditions in the world's largest alfalfa producer, the US. 
  • The prospect of GM alfalfa presents potential benefits such as increased yield and disease resistance, but it also invites concerns about possible environmental and health impacts.
  • Careful regulatory measures need to be implemented to balance the associated risks and benefits.