Youth and Agricultural Biotechnologies

June 24, 2022

Inquisitive in knowing about the role a youth can play in implementing current agricultural biotechnologies?

Soil, water and its biological environment is a critical component of sustainable agriculture. The ever-increasing human population is putting great pressure on these resources and threatening the ability to produce adequate food, feed, fibre and fuel. However, the benefit of sustainable agriculture, which takes advantage of traditional agricultural techniques, as well as the most recent technological advances is a significant concept to understand. It is vital that the young leaders and future decision makers understand the role of agricultural science innovation in addressing problems. They can be attracted by sharing of evolving practices and strategies that can involve both agriculture and biotechnology.

Role of Global Communities for Agricultural Biotechnologies

The question arises that how young students from Private Agriculture College in Rajasthan can be prepared for proactive roles of leadership and service to address critical needs and ensure the sustainability of agriculture? Broadly, it requires changes in educational curriculum.

Researchers at agricultural universities are in the process of exploring better and effective ways to enhance food production. There have been evidences that modern biotechnology applications such as tissue culture can enhance productivity by generating huge quantities of disease-free and clean planting material. Youth with a degree in agriculture or biological sciences should be encouraged and facilitated to establish some low-cost tissue-culture business facilities at community level.

It is significant for students to understand the concepts and enhance knowledge level of agriculture and biotechnology among the students/ researchers by organizing webinar, seminar through the use of presentations, discussions and group activities. Besides, agriculture needs young professionals who understand national agriculture issues and a quest for engaging in these issues on an international scale.

Biotechnology companies are investing money to ensure access to rapidly growing markets, and in further research and development. However, the world of rural poor, of small-scale, resource poor subsistence farmers in India are still out of circles from the world of biotechnology. Hence, governments, scientists, non-governmental organizations, investors have to consider the development of innovative mechanisms for the transfer of biotechnologies in Indian agriculture. At the student level, there is a requirement of education, empowerment and motivation for young aspirants to lead agricultural activities for enhanced and sustainable food production. Further, Private Agriculture College in Rajasthan must focus on preparing the next generation scientists by organising sessions that aims at enhancing youth development.