Mains Marathon

Approach:

• Begin with a data-backed introduction linking biotechnology with food security and sustainable agriculture.
• In the body, divide the response into three thematic sections based on the question: crop yields, disease resistance, and climate adaptability.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction:

Biotechnology has emerged as a vital enabler of India’s food and nutritional security, especially in the context of climate change, yield stagnation, and ecological degradation. India’s bioeconomy expanded from $10 billion in 2014 to $165.7 billion in 2024, contributing 4.25% to GDP. With a $300 billion target by 2030, it is a cornerstone of India’s sustainable agricultural growth.

Role of Biotechnology in Improving Crop Yields:

• Genome-editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 have enhanced yields in rice by targeting genes that suppress productivity, such as in DEP1-edited MTU-1010 lines.
• Speed breeding facilities supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) allow 5–8 crop generations annually, drastically reducing breeding time for yield improvement.
• SNP genotyping arrays like IndRA for rice and IndCA for chickpea enable accurate trait selection, accelerating the development of high-yielding varieties.
• Biofortified crops such as amaranth with high protein and amino acids are now rapidly screened using Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS), contributing to both yield and nutrition.
• Integration of genomics and phenomics with germplasm data ensures efficient utilization of native genetic diversity to produce region-specific high-yielding crops.

Role of Biotechnology in Enhancing Disease Resistance:

• A fungal enzyme nano-formulation derived from Myrothecium verrucaria is an eco-friendly solution against powdery mildew, a serious threat to tomato and grape crops.
• Identification of Fusarium proliferatum, a previously undetected safflower wilt pathogen, has enabled targeted disease management in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
• Biotechnology is driving the development of biopesticides and biofungicides, reducing the dependency on chemical inputs while ensuring crop health and productivity.
• GM diagnostics and quarantine systems play a vital role in biosafety monitoring and early detection of transgenic contamination.
• Protective innovations like Kisan-Kavach, an anti-pesticide suit, indirectly support plant health by safeguarding farmers engaged in crop protection practices.

Role of Biotechnology in Promoting Climate Adaptability:

• Climate-resilient varieties like SAATVIK (NC9) chickpea are engineered for high drought tolerance and stable yields under stress conditions.
• Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and multi-location field trials are enhancing selection for traits like heat tolerance and salinity resistance in pulses and cereals.
• Genomic tools help identify wild relatives with climate-tolerant genes, which are now being introduced into elite cultivars using molecular breeding.
• DBT supports R&D to optimize nutrient and water-use efficiency, creating climate-smart solutions with lower ecological footprints and higher sustainability.
• In aquaculture, biotechnology interventions like fermented soybean meal as a fishmeal substitute improve growth in shrimp, reducing environmental stress from overfishing.

Conclusion:

Biotechnology holds transformative potential to ensure food security, enhance crop resilience, and build a climate-adaptive agricultural ecosystem in India. Backed by cutting-edge research and regulatory oversight, it can address complex agro-ecological challenges while promoting sustainable, inclusive, and safe agricultural practices.