Biotechnology in Agriculture: challenges and opportunities

• Published in: Indian Farming (India) Vol. 51; no. 8
• Main Authors: Charak, K.S, Sharma, M. (Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi (India))
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.10.2001
• Subjects: AGRICULTURA; AGRICULTURE; BIOTECHNOLOGIE VEGETALE; BIOTECNOLOGIA VEGETAL; DURABILITE; PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY; SOSTENIBILIDAD; SUSTAINABILITY

There is need to bring about a total shift in the agricultural research paradigm through biotechnology that would enable us to bring about poverty reduction, environmental conservation and proceed on the pathway of sustainable development, specially in the developing countries like India. Certainly there is need to address all ethical, biosafety and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). It certainly would be important to develop new partnerships, new teams and introduce an interdisciplinary approach. Our approach has to be specific to the Indian problems viz. the loss of soil fertility in some regions, bio tic stress, heavily polluted rivers, water-bodies, non-availability of good quality low cost seeds, fertilizers and pesticides even agricultural equipment need to be addressed. While high growth rate is accepted as the most important aim to bring prosperity in general and rural prosperity in particular, it is a important that the path is based on the growth of agricultural sector, that to on small and marginal resources of poor farmers in backward and dry regions. While export-oriented growth in agriculture is welcome, the desirable policy options should be to safeguard food security of the poor. Diversification of agriculture, flori-culture, horticulture, value addition, farm-based food processing through appropriate technology transfer and institutional linkage will help even small and marginal farmers. An approach with strategic research plan, product development, effective international collaborations, strong partnership among academia, public and private sectors, would result in accelerating the growth of agro-biotech industry in domestic market and with enormous export potential. Our country must strive to achieve this goal.