Can Nanotechnology Provide the Innovations for a Second Green Revolution in Indian Agriculture?

R.Kalpana Sastry*, N.H.Rao**, Richard Cahoon* and Terry Tucker* * Cornell University, NY; ** NAARM, India

Contact: kr273@cornell.edu

Method

ResultsChanging ContextFrom green revolution to decline in ag.growth

5-year moving average

Source : Planning Commission, GOI, 2007

Source: Planning Commission, GOI, 2004

From self-sufficiency to concerns on food security“Is it a technology fatigue?”

ObjectivePreliminary assessment of

potential of nanotechnology (NT)

for sustainable agricultural growth in India

NT in agriculture is an evolving field :Has potential to revolutionize agriculture and food systems (Roco, 2003; Kuzma and Verhage, 2006) To improve the conditions of the poor (Juma and Yee-Cheong, 2005)

Investments in India over $25 million for next 5 yearsNeed to conceptualize, prioritize and design NT research across various links in the agriculturalproduction-consumptionvalue chain

Fig Source: Hartwich et al, 2003

Possible Themes and Research

1. Natural resource management:

efficient use of soil, water, energy inputs

2. Value addition of ag-waste/bio-mass

3. Disease diagnosis

4. Delivery mechanism in plant-soil-animal

system

5. Tracking biodiversity

6. Horticultural /food supply chain

7. Food processing/packaging

8. Value-addition of ethnic foods

9. Protocols for risk assessment/safety

10. Education

11. Awareness across society (ELSI)

12. Developing new genetic types/

breeds/cultivars

Sector of agricultural supply

chain

Themes Nano-Research areas

• farm inputs

• agricultural

production

• pre-harvest

• post harvest

processing

• packaging

• transportation

• retail

• consumer

• post-consumption

• basic research for

development of

nanomaterials /

devices

• plant/animal

production

• plant/animal

protection

• natural resource

conservation

• pathogen/

contaminant

detection

• veterinary medicine

• bioprocessing for

food

• nanobased

packaging

• nano-bio industrial

products

• agricultural waste

management

• nanoscale phenomena and

processes:

plant/animal cells;

genomics/proteomics;

biosafety; crop/ animal production

processes; natural resources cycles

• nanomaterials: nano fertilizers and

nanocides for efficient use of inputs

• soil erosion control; packaging

• nanodevices and systems:

biosensors for precision agriculture;

• diagnostics;

pathogen/contaminant detection

• smart delivery systems for

genes/drugs/vaccines

• nanofiltration: nanobrushes for soil

& water purification

• smart systems integration

• environment, social, ethical, health

implications

• education

Priority Research Areas

Theme Application area

Probable type of technology

1. Natural resource management

Energy CNT-based Hydrogen storage systems, quantum dots-based photovoltaic cells, film coatings for solar cells/panels, nano catalysts for hydrogen generation

Water Nanosensors, polymers, clays, zeolites for contaminant detectionNanomembranes for purification, desalination, detoxificationNanomolecules for robust water tanks and to prevent seepageNanosensors for water flow detectionNanozeolites for efficient release of water

Soil Nanozeolites for slow release of fertilizers particles for soil conservation,nanomagnets for removal of soil contaminants, soil health testing

Theme Application area

Probable type of technology

2. Value addition Agri-waste/biomass

Nanoparticles synthesis from cellulose-base agricultural byproductsParticles in strengthening natural fibre, enhancing aesthetics in cotton, jute and other fibre productsNanoparticles for liquid and gaseous fuels-based lighting and cooking technologies from crop residue, animal waste

3. Delivery mechanisms

Disease and pest control, crop/animal production

Encapsulated nanoparticles for pesticides including biopesticides, drugs, hormones, vaccines, gene, DNA, for crop, livestock, fish hatcheries, poultry

4. Disease diagnosis

Early detection in crop/animal husbandry programmes

Nanosensors for detectionQuantum dots for diagnosis

5. Tracking use of biodiversity

Use of germplasm,biodiversity

Nanosensors for tracking use of elite lines, breeds, cultivars

6. Horticultural chain

For processing of products in flower, fruit, processed food industry

Nanosensors for tracking in cold chainNanoemulsions for enhancing shelf-life

Theme Application area Probable type of technology/approach

7. Food (fresh and processed) sector

Food processing, packaging, nutraceutical delivery, safety and sensing

Development of nanoscale formulations of different traditional food products, for flavouring, refining catalytic devices in oils, dairy, meat, poultry products Nanocomposites, particles in packaging materials including traditional, indigenous materialLiposomal nanovesicles, nanocapsules for better nutrient delivery, bioavailability

8. Protocols for risk assessment

Regulation systems

Data generation on testing and stds, toxicity assessment methodology

9. Education Researchers, policy, industry, farmers, consumers

Strong HRD programmes, global partnership

10. Awareness Building entrepreneur networks in rural areas

SME education and involvement, joint ventures, supply chains. clusters, public-private partnerships

A Road Map for NT in Indian Agriculture•Develop a database/knowledge base to assess

applications in agriculture based on:•Areas of research (across various links in agri-chain)•Products•Methods•Timeline•Potential for effective interface with current research trends•Environmental, health and societal implications•IP and biodiversity related issues

•Assess priorities

•Identify institutional strategies for:•Research, educational, extension, governance and regulation

Missed in early stage of ag-biotech development !

ConclusionNanotechnology could provide

the much needed trigger for a second green revolution in Indian agriculture if the following are emphasized:

1. Strategic approach to nanotechnology research and development across the agricultural value chain.

2. Environmentally and socially responsible development of the technology.

3. Anticipatory design of effective regulatory mechanisms and strong governance systems designed with involvement of all the stakeholders.

4. Ultimate acceptance by the stakeholders.

Acknowledgments: SM Ilyas, NAARM; Lesley Yorke, Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science; Fulbright Scholar Program; IP/CALS, Cornell University