Using biotechnology in agriculture not only allows crops to grow more and under more difficult conditions, but it can also improve them significantly.
Fremont, CA: Biotechnology is best defined as the application of scientific methods to enhance and modify the value of plants, animals, and microbes. Biotechnology has made its way into various disciplines throughout the years, including medicine, genetic engineering, and agriculture. Agricultural biotechnology can be defined as a set of scientific procedures that use DNA and its principles to better plants, microorganisms, and animals. Biotechnology is thought to be more effective in agriculture than the use of agrochemicals. The latter is thought to blame environmental damage and is also difficult for farmers to implement.
The advantages of biotechnology in agriculture include:
Enhanced crop production
Biotechnology contributes to a large improvement in agricultural yield because of improved disease control and higher tolerance to drought and flooding. This meets the ever-increasing demand for food and aids farmers in reducing losses.
Improved nutritional value
Farmers have also been able to grow crops with increased nutritional content and improved flavor and texture. For example, technology has enabled the production of high-protein soybeans, beans with more amino acids, and potatoes with starch.
Better protection of crops
Biotechnology approaches are cost-effective solutions to pest-related issues. Farmers have successfully altered crops such as cotton, corn, and potato to produce a protein that actively combats pest concerns.
Chemical tolerance
Herbicides are used by the majority of farmers to reduce weed development, which often results in soil erosion. However, because genetically modified produce is resistant to a range of chemicals, including herbicides, soil erosion is considerably reduced.
Damage and disease prevention
Insect-borne viral infections are notoriously difficult to control, and insecticide use has been shown to harm both soil and crop quality. Genetically engineered plants, on the other hand, are less sensitive to viral infection, making it easier for farmers to control crop loss.
