National Conference on Emerging Trend in

Chemical Engineering& Biotechnology

Agricultural Biotechnology: Issues &

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

The greatest challenge of the 21st century: feeding people

with a sustainable agricultural production system.
“Biotechnology has the potential to bring
tremendous benefits”- John Prescott.
Biotechnology:
A collection of technologies
Agricultural Biotechnology
Crops 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.

cell new plant

with
mass
new of
cells Add gene
gene (callus)
 Biotechnology promises to reduce threats to biodiversity
by:

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
most frequently:

Soybeans

Corn

Cotton
Benefits of Agricultural
Biotechnology
Agricultural 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.
Development
Agricultural 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 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
substantial resources to
address developing world
needs is fundamental to the
future well being of the
world, its natural resources,
and its people.”
Taylor
 Environmental Impacts

The fundamental threat to biodiversity

comes from the destruction of native
habitat
 “ The primary cause of the decay of
organic diversity is not direct
human exploitation, but the
habitat destruction that
results from the expansion of
human populations and human
activities.”

- Paul Ehrlich
Conclusion
Agricultural 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