National Conference on Emerging Trend in National Conference on Emerging Trend in Chemical Engineering& BiotechnologyChemical Engineering& Biotechnology

Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues & Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues & Development in Developing Countries.Development in Developing Countries.

The continuing growth of human population creates a The continuing growth of human population creates a host host of challenges to the responsible stewardship of the of challenges to the responsible stewardship of the environmental health and biodiversity of planet Earth.environmental health and biodiversity of planet Earth.

The greatest challenge of the 21 The greatest challenge of the 21stst century: feeding people century: feeding people with a sustainable agricultural production system.with a sustainable agricultural production system.

“ “Biotechnology has the potential to bring Biotechnology has the potential to bring tremendous benefits”- John Prescott.tremendous benefits”- John Prescott.

Biotechnology: Biotechnology: A collection of technologiesA collection of technologies

Agricultural BiotechnologyAgricultural BiotechnologyCrops improved through agricultural

biotechnology have provided economic, environmental and social benefits globally.

India and China are two counties that have active crop biotechnology research& development programs in a diversity of crops. Biotech derived traits will improve food and feed nutrition. Including vitamin and mineral enhancement, increased essential amino acids

Entire plants can be cultivated from a single non-reproductive cell.

Add gene

cell cell withwith new new genegene

mass mass of of

cells cells (callus)(callus)

new plantnew plant

Biotechnology promises to reduce threats to biodiversity Biotechnology promises to reduce threats to biodiversity

byby::

Improving crop production on existing

lands

Decreasing the environmental impacts of agricultural practices.

Goal

Every citizen of this planet has the right to have enough nutritious food at an affordable price & to achieve this goal, technologies must be developed/ upgraded and made available to every practicing farmer.

Altering Genes in Plants to Fight Pests and Improve Nutrition

Crops improved through biotechnology that are grown Crops improved through biotechnology that are grown most frequently: most frequently:

Soybeans

Corn

Cotton

Benefits of Agricultural Benefits of Agricultural BiotechnologyBiotechnologyAgricultural biotechnology can

assist crop breeders to improve the yields and quality of crops and their production.

Plants can be made tolerant of drought, heat, and frost.

Encourages use of environmentally friendly herbicides.

DevelopmentDevelopmentAgricultural biotechnology has

been changing the face of agricultural since its introduction in 1996.

It has the potential to make crop breeding and crop management systems more efficient thereby generating improve crop varieties and higher yields.

Biofuels play an important role

in the future , as it is a green alternative to oil. Main biofuels in use are Ethanol, produced from maize etc. Biodiesel produced from canola and palm oil. Both can be blended with petroleum and can be used in vehicles or in engines to run 100% biofuel.

Economic ImpactEconomic Impact

With crops improved through biotechnology, the key commodity is information, and this is carried in the seed itself.

Economic constraints such as decline in commodity prices, inefficient policies, programmes and investment to

increase productivity.

“ “Mobilization of these Mobilization of these substantial substantial resources to resources to

address developing address developing world world needs is needs is fundamental to the fundamental to the future future well being of the well being of the world, world,

its natural resources, its natural resources, and its people.”and its people.”

Taylor

Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts

The fundamental threat to biodiversity comes from the destruction of native habitat

“ “ The primary cause of the The primary cause of the decay of decay of organic organic diversity is not direct diversity is not direct human exploitation, but the human exploitation, but the

habitat destruction that habitat destruction that

results from the results from the expansion of expansion of human human populations populations and human and human activities.”activities.”

- Paul Ehrlich

ConclusionConclusionAgricultural biotechnology alone will

not solve the multitude of problems that farmers in developing countries face as these include poor agricultural infrastructure, lack of farm skills, the degradation of resources, but at the same time it has the potential to make crop breeding and crop management systems efficient thereby generating improved crop varieties and higher yields.

As we all know second to IT is Bt which will rule the world for years to come and enrich the world with more healthier and colorful products. Its influence will make the society march towards progress and prosperity.

“Biotechnology is the boon of nature to mankind. ”

“ If you plan for one year, plant rice,

If you plan for ten years, plant trees

But if you plan for 100 years, educate the people.”

Thank you,

Presented by

Priyameet Kaur Keer

Lecturer

Guru Nanak Institute of Engineering&Technology