Applications of Biotech on Agriculture

Biotechnology is broadly defined as any technique that uses live organisms viz. bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeast, animal cells, plant cells etc. to make or modify a product, to improve plants or animals or to engineer micro-organisms for specific uses. It encompasses genetic engineering, inclusive of enzyme and protein engineering plant and animal tissue culture technology,

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is technology based on biology, especially when used in agriculture, food science, and medicine. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity has come up with one of many definitions of biotechnology: "Biotechnology means any  technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products  or processes for specific use."

For thousands of years, humankind has used biotechnology in agriculture, food production, and medicine. The term itself is largely believed to have been coined in 1919 by Hungarian engineer Karoly Ereky. In the late 20th and early 21st century, biotechnology has expanded to include new and diverse sciences such as genomics, recombinant gene technologies, applied immunology, and development of pharmaceutical therapies and diagnostic tests.

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Sustainable Agriculture

A sustainable approach to farming is economically viable, environmentally sound, and socially beneficial: it works for the farmer, the land, and the community. Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity.

Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Stewardship of human resources includes consideration of social responsibilities such as working and living conditions of laborers, the needs of rural communities, and consumer health and safety both in the present and the future. Stewardship of land and natural resources involves maintaining or enhancing this vital resource base for the long term.

The concept of sustainability rests on a simple principle: everything we need for our survival and well-being depends on our natural environment. In order to continue to have water and the resources to protect human health and our environment, we must meet our present needs without compromising the needs of future generations.

Agricultural Biotechnology

India is one of the leading developing countries  making economic   progress  through  industrial  and   agricultural development programmes.  Agriculture is the major source of livelihood, particularly in rural areas, where about  65-70% of the people have been living.  However, the present level of  agricultural  production  has not  reached  the  optimal stage  because of series of hurdles. 
Major bottlenecks among them, are lack of resources such as water nutrient and good quality planting material, improper management of pests  and diseases  and poor harvest management of the  produce.