Strategies of Plant Biotechnology to Meet the Increasing Demand of Food and Nutrition in India

Abstract

A groundbreaking application of biotechnology research during the recent past has been improvement of crop health and production. India being one of the most rapidly developing countries with an enormous population and remarkable biodiversity, plant biotechnology promises significant potential to contribute to characterization and conservation of the biodiversity, increasing its usefulness. However, India’s green revolution was noted to be insufficient to feed the country's teeming millions. Therefore, novel approaches in crop biotechnology had to be aimed at ensuring better productivity and quality of cultivars. This paper provides a comprehensive review of research undertaken mainly in the last couple of decades along with potential strategies in plant biotechnology focusing on specific grain and seed crops of key agricultural as well as dietary importance to meet the growing demand of food and nutrition in India, while also proposing potential application of relevant global research findings in the Indian context. The analysis would help address the ever-increasing worldwide socio-economic necessity for greater food security, particularly during times of crisis such as the recent Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Worldwide Consequences of COVID-19 on Research in STEM

“…Educators and administrative personnel may address this requirement by considering pertinent reports of increasing student engagement and learning in science through free/low-cost mobile apps in middle/high school or college [71][72][73][74], developing and implementing virtual classrooms [75], organizing and contributing to digital leadership forums [76], harnessing novel ways of assessment such as peer-video-blogs [77], and may need to adopt innovative methods of assessing science research-based courses like those recently designed for a Biochemistry courseundergraduate research experience (CURE) [78][79][80][81][82][83]. In this context, it is STEM research which could be leveraged to mitigate the viral contagion by empowering communities with health literacy [84] and awareness about food safety as well as about the role scientific research can play in meeting the heightened demands of food production and nutrition owing to the pandemic, indicated through numerous reports [85][86][87][88].…”

Surveillance of foodborne diseases in Taiwan

“…Also, these strategies raise food production and ensuring food security, nutritional value, prevent plant-based foodborne illnesses, and bioremediation, and environmental conservation. [ 31 , 32 ] The government needs to strengthen international cooperation to promote sustainable agriculture and eliminate hunger.…”

Impacts of COVID-19 on Global Healthcare Management and Research

“…Administrative authorities of many countries have been taking steps to promote health literacy; however, those would not be successful without active cooperation of the general population to educate themselves and their families and children about the importance of proper hygiene, cleanliness, and regular sanitary habits. Given the COVID-19-based global socioeconomic crisis, knowledge of food safety and scientific research undertaken to meet the rising demands of food and nutrition, especially in developing countries, need to be acquired and disseminated [40][41][42][43]. Greater efficiency of research and management among healthcare professionals is not possible without improving healthcare/science education in schools and colleges.…”