Agriculture and Biotechnology

Content

Biotechnology and Seeds:

• Seed is a basic input in agriculture.  Seeds have been the crucial factor in the establishment, diversification and improvement of crops. 
• Better the seed, better will be the crop produce. Response of other inputs in crop production largely depends on the quality of seed material used.
• Farmers have manipulated plants and animals through selective breeding for decades of thousands of years in order to create desired traits.
• Agricultural biotechnology quickens this process through the selection of traits like the increased yield, pest resistance, drought resistance, and herbicide resistance.
• It uses scientific tools and techniques, including genetic engineering, molecular markers, molecular diagnostics, vaccines, and tissue culture.
• The Department of Biotechnology has made tremendous efforts in promoting Bioscience research, translational education and entrepreneurship.
• Mission mode programme on “Minor Oilseeds of India Origin” in various crops was launched which is aimed at sequencing/re-sequencing and phenotypic characterization of available germplasm resources of Minor Oilseeds (Sesame, Linseed, Safflower and Niger) in the country along with exotic lines from diverse agro climatic regions & elite lines of International Institutes.
• Mission mode programme on “Characterization of Genetic Resources” in various crops was initiated for sequencing/re-sequencing and phenotypic characterization of available germplasm resources of Chickpea in country along with exotic lines from diverse agro climatic regions & elite lines of International Institutes has been supported.
• “India-UK crop science fellowship (INcrops)” was launched to create a skill set of trained manpower in cutting edge technologies in crop sciences. It is aimed to send ten (10) post-doctoral fellows per year to the UK institutions.
• DBT-NGGF “National Genotyping and Genomics Facility” (NGGF) a “single-window service system” for advanced genomics technology services was established to offer affordable and competitive genotyping and genomics services to Public and Private Institutions. Crop breeding companies and seed companies (205) involved in the regular breeding process and activities will be a source of revenue for this facility.
• Three improved maize hybrids have been developed by Enrichment of Nutritional Quality in Maize through Molecular Breeding. 
  • • Pusa HM4 Improved: has been released and notified for North Western Plain Zone.
    • Pusa HM8 Improved: has been released and notified for Peninsular Zone [Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana & Tamil Nadu]
    • Pusa HM9 Improved: has been released and notified for North Eastern Plain Zone [Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal & Eastern Uttar Pradesh].

Pest Control and Management:

• Scientists and world leaders believe that crop biotechnology holds the key to food security and poverty reduction in the developing world.
• With GM crops, genes that confer certain traits are inserted into existing varieties and modify their genetic content. For example, a gene may provide resistance to a disease or enhance the nutritional value of a crop. 
• Genetically Modified (GM) crops tend to increase crop productivity primarily where pest pressure is high and existing pest control treatments are losing effectiveness. 
• Bt cotton, which protects cotton against key damaging insects, is India’s first and only commercially approved biotech crop.
• Cotton in India is grown under more humid conditions than in the US, and is likely to suffer severe pest pressure.
• From farmers’ perspective, adoption of GM varieties is simpler and less dangerous than the adoption of toxic chemicals to control pests.
• Multiple studies have attributed between 30-60 per cent increases in cotton yields in India to the adoption of GM varieties
• GM varieties provide new means to increase crop productivity and are essential in the transition to a renewable, bio-based economy.

Livestock and Diseases:

• Various biotechnology methods are used in improving the breeding stock of animals. 
• These include artificial insemination (AI), embryo transfer (ET), in-vitro fertilization (IVF), and somatic cell nuclear transfer. 
• Biotechnology has allowed the scientists to detect defective genes which cause infection in animals before they are bred. 
• Many DNA tests are now available through which inherited weaknesses can be detected in cattle. Some conditions which are identified by this test are Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency (LAD) and Factor 13 Deficiency. 
• Another advantage is the development of the vaccines. These vaccines act against the diseases and help them cure.
• Vaccines developed through biotechnology techniques are more effective and cure disease within less time than the traditional vaccines.
• Genetically developed vaccines stay stable at room temperature and they do not need refrigerated storage. 

Future potential:

• Biotechnology occupies a strategic position in the socio-economic advancement and development of Indian agriculture. 
• The favourable location of the biotech hubs will be crucial. It depends on critical factors like research and technology development competence, market, industry policies, infrastructure, investments.
• The Government needs to harness the potential of biotechnology through innovative initiatives like Biotech-Kisan
• To mitigate the effects of climate change, biotechnology needs to be used to develop Climate-resilient crops that can sustain in adverse climatic conditions.
• Biotechnology has a place in ensuring Swasth Bharat, Swachh Bharat, Start-up India, Make in India and Digital India.
• The challenge for mitigation of COVID Pandemic by supporting vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, genomics, biorepositories and a National Platform (NBRIC) for achievement of Atma Nirbharta.