India is to hold a public consultation on genetically modified aubergines, which were cleared by regulators this week but await final government approval, an official said Friday.

The transgenic vegetable, also known as the eggplant or brinjal, which has been altered to be resistant to a devastating natural pest called shoot borer, would be the first GM food item approved for local farms.

The environment ministry will hold discussions "to hear feedback from the concerned stakeholders and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)," before deciding whether to approve them, a senior ministry official told AFP.

"It should take a few months," he said, but added "it will be attended to on a priority basis."

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told reporters Thursday that a final decision would be made next year after consultations with agricultural experts, farmers' organisations and consumer groups in January and February.

The key ministries of health and agriculture are also involved in the debate, but the final verdict rests with the environment ministry, an agriculture ministry official said.

The state-run Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee on Wednesday gave a green light to the introduction of genetically modified aubergines.

Environmental activists condemned the decision and said the move to introduce GM vegetables was hasty and required further testing.

Some 8.7 million tonnes of aubergines are grown on 530,000 hectares (1.3 million acres) in India, with West Bengal state leading production, according to data from the Indian Council of Agriculture Research.

In 2002, India opened the way for the commercial production of genetically modified cotton, which sparked a storm of protest from environmentalists who argued the move would damage soil quality and change crop patterns.

The rise in yields from this modified type of crop, known locally as BT cotton, spurred the government to encourage its cultivation.