Agriculture Biotechnology: Overview, Regulation, Advantages, FAQs

The word "agricultural biotechnology" defines an area of science that deals with modernising agriculture practises in comparison to traditional methods by using different means, such as modern techniques and tools. We often hear about the term "agriculture," and everyone is well aware of the same. India is a country that is known for this identity, as more than sixty percent of Indians rely on agriculture. And in this way, they contribute to nation-building. Agriculture is an essential part of the economy as everything, somehow or other, is related to it, be it directly or indirectly.

Agriculture is classified in the "primary sector" of the economy. It can be very challenging to manage the many complex tasks or activities involved in agriculture, especially for small farmers with limited financial resources. Technology and science gave birth to a new idea in response to the complexity of the agricultural process. whose motto is to ease the process of agriculture and enhance the yields from the crops using different techniques. In this way, the term "agricultural biotechnology" came into being.

Meaning

The term "agriculture biotechnology" means an area of agricultural science that involves the use of different kinds of scientific tools and methods, which include molecular diagnostics, vaccines, tissue culture, and other ways of modifying living organisms that are suitably known as genetic engineering. There are many examples of agricultural biotechnology, such as improving plant and seed quality, improving plant growth, improving animal health and breeding, and many more.

Reasons

A significant part of society is shifting from the primary sector to the secondary or tertiary sector. Villages are turning into concrete jungles, and those who were cultivating the crops and rearing animals have moved to cities to earn their bread and butter, etc. All of these factors combined to cause a severe shortage of food grains and other agricultural goods.

The increase in population at a fast rate has brought this concern to the attention of the government and other concerned authorities after many trials and brainstorming to increase the production of agricultural products. A new revolution came into existence which is known as 'The Green Revolution, which consisted of different methods and techniques along with a blend of science and technology, which focused on giving a new perspective to agriculture and those cultivating crops.

Advantages

Agricultural biotechnology has a wide range of benefits. Agriculture biotechnology has advanced significantly as a result of the increased interest in and development in the field. which resulted in the invention of many new tools and the improvement of plant productivity levels and animal breeding, and the process is continuing. The use of these tools and techniques in farming produced many unexpected results. The yield level increased even more than was anticipated. And the quality of grains was outstanding; domestic animals that were dying of bad health and poor treatment started becoming healthy, and labour-intensive techniques got replaced by capital-intensive ones. It showed a new way and motivated many to restart with a new vision to feed the world.

Application of biotechnology in agriculture

With the emergence of new methods and techniques, the application of biotechnology in agriculture also increased at a very quick pace and contributed in different ways, which are as follows:

• Reproduction in Aquaculture

Biotechnology application has played a very vital role in the maximisation of growth and production in aquaculture. Still, there is lots of deep research going on for more effective results.

• To increase the yields

Biotechnology has proven its contribution in this same area as well. The introduction of different kinds of techniques and tools has made the agricultural process very easy and convenient for farmers. And this way, the yield level has also grown up. It also brought different types of farming into the picture, such as dairy, poultry farming, and many others. With time, different kinds of tools, like milk extraction machines, came into being and many more.

• Enhancing the taste of fruits and vegetables

With biotechnology, scientists have invented a different method by which fruit and vegetable taste can be enhanced. In this method, the seeds become absent; this way, more sugar content in the soluble form makes it sweet and suitable for consumption.

• Focus on increasing the production of Biofuel

Biotechnology is doing great in this area, considering the future demand for a sustainable and secure energy source, as it is a reliable and long-lasting fuel source.

Disadvantage

As said, everything has both good and bad sides; how can this part remain untouched? Agriculture biotechnology has disadvantages too; with its application, it has resulted in the reduction of labourers, so they became jobless. High utilisation of Chemical Fertilizers turned out very dangerous for soil fertility, and sowing of hybrid seeds required too much water irrigation; animals reared were not immune to external environments. Organic manure lost its relevance.

Government Involvement

The government has played a significant role in bringing agriculture biotechnology to the ground level. It was through various incentive and promotional ways, such as subsidies, building colleges for deep study and research, and inviting the participation of experts and other countries to work together to feed the world. The government has made available different types of tools and resources to the farmers through various subsidy schemes. Such schemes were accelerated through ground-level machinery of government such as Blocks and Panchayats & Nagar Parishad, etc.

This move of the Government has brought many enlightened minds to come into play, that is, 'Startups'. In very recent years, there has been a good number of participations by startups, and many IITians, Doctors, and Persons from other professions are connecting with nature; their involvement has given a new direction to this field. And has shown how agriculture can be monetised with significantly less investment avoiding all kinds of intermediaries involved in the chain of moving the crops from the field to the market. And this way, many are taking advantage of it and following this new path.

Career & Scope of Agriculture Biotechnology

In very recent years, the scope of agricultural biotechnology has increased. And there is a great opportunity awaiting to be explored, as there is lots of investment taking place in this area due to the increase in the level of the population. The demand will always be increasing, which requires continuous effort to increase and maintain the productivity level. There is a high demand for professionals in this area as the government is focusing on various aspects of agriculture through which new inventions could take place. Therefore, there is a great career awaiting to explore and contribute to nation-building.