AgroSpectrum - AgroSpectrum India April 2023

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Splicing Away to Agri Self-reliance The application of molecular biology and genomics to farming, known as agrigenomics, has the potential to significantly transform India's agrarian landscape. India is one of the world's largest consumers of food, with a population of over 1.3 billion, and the agricultural industry employs over half of the country's workforce. However, Indian farmers face various challenges, including pests, diseases, unpredictable weather fronts and the need to increase yields to feed a growing population. Agrigenomics offers potential solutions to these problems, but its implementation has been slow in India. CRISPR/Cas9, also known as the "genetic scissors," was recently discovered by Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna, who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020. This technology allows scientists to make precise modifications to the DNA of various organisms, including plants, animals, and microbes. It has the potential to revolutionise agriculture by enhancing yield, expanding food variety, improving nutrition, creating disease and pest resilience, reducing food waste, and promoting sustainable farming practices. The 'GenomeEditing' technology is currently under scrutiny as AgroSpectrum examines its impact on the agriculture industry in general, with a particular focus on the future of India's agriculture sector.