Nanotechnology: Cutting-Edge Tool for Increasing Agricultural Production

Abstract

India and many developing countries in Asia and Africa are posed with the challenges of food insecurity and poverty for the next three decades, because of the growing demand for food commodities and depletion of natural resources, and global warming. While efforts are being made to increase agricultural production, serious attempts are needed to increase crop yields and income of small holder farmers, without polluting the environment. Fortunately, the recent introduction of nanotechnology for increasing agricultural production has indicated its potential to increase crop yields, while improving soil productivity and reducing the use of agro chemicals as well as the cost of production. Presently, several macro and micro nutrients sold in India have confirmed the benefits in terms of higher yield and lower cost of production. Nano-carbon is another material having great promise for boosting agricultural production, because of its role as a nutrient, soil stabilizer, effective facilitator for absorption of nutrients and plant protection molecules from the soil, and immunity boosters against biotic and abiotic pressures. Farmers from Gujarat and Maharashtra states who have used this technology for growing cotton, groundnut, paddy, turmeric, sugarcane and a wide range of fruits and vegetables have been successful in significantly increasing their crop production without any chemical residues, while decreasing the cost of production. Nano-carbon-based materials have a promising future in India and other developing countries.