Biotechnological Advances for Improved Food and Nutrition Security in India. Srinivasa Rao, Ch., Senthil, V. and Meena, P.C. (eds.). In: Challenges and Emerging Opportunities in Indian Agriculture

Abstract

Ever increasing population and climate change are the two major threats to food security across the globe. Despite continuous effort of conventional methods to make a food secured world, there exist numerous unsolved problems which need to be dealt with. In this regard, biotechnology plays a crucial role in providing nutritious food, feed and fuel to the growing population. Genetic engineering is one of the most promising techniques which can revolutionize the whole agriculture scenario as it has the potential to meet multiple requirements like enhancing the crop yield, biofortified food crops, climate resilient genotypes, multiple disease and pest resistant genotypes, etc. With the advent of omics technologies, the biology of plants can be studied exhaustively which will further facilitate to develop a crop with desirable traits. But public acceptance of these technologies face a serious controversy as the product that is developed through biotechnology is perceived as a potential risk. Hence, efforts to create public awareness about the potential benefits of biotech crops are need of the hour.