Agricultural Biotechnology For

Agricultural Revival: A Perspective

11 November 2014

State Of Indian Agriculture

What is alarming is that India is again
facing Yield Barrier

1
11 November 2014

-Food grain index - 169.80 in 2000 & 164.70

in 2004-05.
-All commodities index suffered marginal
decline.
-Yield of food grains 1704 in 2000 remained
at same level even in 2004-05.
-Food grains Yield Index Numbers stagnated
at same level of 160 in 2000 & 2004-05
Per Capita Food Availability : Inadequate
11 November 2014

Agricultural Production

(Base : Triennium ending 1981-82 = 100)

1999-00

2004-05

Food grains

169.7

164.7

All Commodities

176.9

179.2

Yield (Kg. / h.)

1999-00

Food Grains 1704

2004-05*

1703

Yield Of Food Grains 1704 in 2000 remained at

same level even in 2004-05.

21 November 2008

AEBM Deptt. F/ O Agricultural

Sciences

11 November 2014

2004-05*

159.8

160.8

All Commodities 149.6

156.0

Food grains Yield Index Numbers stagnated at same

level of 160 in 2000 & 2004-05

All commodities index suffered marginal decline

AEBM Deptt. F/ O Agricultural

Sciences

(Base: Triennium ending 1981-82 = 100)

1999-00
Food grains

Food grain index - 169.80 in 2000 & 164.70 in 2004-05

21 November 2008

Yield -Index Numbers

21 November 2008

AEBM Deptt. F/ O Agricultural

Sciences

Agricultural Production

(Base : Triennium ending 1981-82 = 100)

1999-00

2004-05

Food grains

169.7

164.7

All Commodities

176.9

179.2

Food grain index - 169.80 in 2000 & 164.70 in 2004-05

All commodities index suffered marginal decline

11 November 2014

Yield (Kg. / h.)

1999-00
Food Grains 1704

2004-05*
1703

Yield Of Food Grains 1704 in 2000 remained at

same level even in 2004-05.

11 November 2014

Yield -Index Numbers

(Base: Triennium ending 1981-82 = 100)

1999-00

2004-05*

159.8

160.8

All Commodities 149.6

156.0

Food grains

Food grains Yield Index Numbers stagnated at same

level of 160 in 2000 & 2004-05

11 November 2014

International Comparisons of Yield

Productivity of most crops: below world
averages.

11 November 2014

Yield of Rice , 2004-05

Rice Yield (Metric tonnes/ha)

Rice: 2.9 m.t./h. 1-4th of Egypt, 1-3rd of Japan, below world av. of 3.96
12
10

9.8
7.83

6.73

6.42

6
3.96
4

2.9

2.63

2.43

2
0
Egypt

USA

Korea

Japan

India

Thailand Myanmar

Countries and World Average

Source: Government of India, 2007c.

11 November 2014

World

Wheat Yield (Metric tonnes/ ha)

Wheat 2004-05

9
8
7

7.77

7.58

6
5
4
3

4.25
2.71

2.37

2.87
2.06

2
1
0
UK

France

China

India

Pakistan

Iran

Countries and World Average

Source: Government of India, 2007c.

11 November 2014

1.64

Australia

World

Yield of Maize

Maize Yield (Metric

tonnes/hectare)

1.18 - a quarter of Chinas & one tenth of USA at 9.15

metric t./h.
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

9.15
7.56
6.69
4.9
3.38
2.1
1.18

USA

France

Germany

China

Phillipines

Counties and World Average

Source: Government of India, 2007c.

11 November 2014

India

World

Yield of Rice , 2004-05

International Comparisons of Yield

Productivity of most crops: below world
averages.

Rice Yield (Metric tonnes/ha)

Rice: 2.9 m.t./h. 1-4th of Egypt, 1-3rd of Japan, below world av. of 3.96
12
9.8

10

7.83

6.73

6.42

6
3.96
4

2.9

2.63

2.43

2
0
Egypt

USA

Korea

Japan

India

Thailand Myanmar

World

Countries and World Average

Source: Government of India, 2007c.

21 November 2008

21 November 2008

Yield of Maize

9
8
7

7.77

1.18 - a quarter of Chinas & one tenth of USA at 9.15

metric t./h.

7.58

6
5
4
3

4.25
2.71

2.37

2.87
2.06

2
1
0
UK

France

China

India

Pakistan

Iran

Countries and World Average

1.64

Australia

World

Maize Yield (Metric

tonnes/hectare)

Wheat Yield (Metric tonnes/ ha)

Wheat 2004-05

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0

9.15
7.56
6.69
4.9
3.38
2.1
1.18

USA

France

Germany

China

Phillipines

Counties and World Average

Source: Government of India, 2007c.

Source: Government of India, 2007c.

11 November 2014
21 November 2008

21 November 2008

India

World

Agriculture: Growth Rates

Between 1970 & 1990: 2.1 % per annum.
3.4 % - Pakistan, 3.7 % - Indonesia, 3.9 %Thailand, 4.7%- Malaysia.

11 November 2014

State Of Indian Agriculture

Agricultural output plateauing.
Public investment in agriculture declining
intense input use degraded environment.
Decline in agricultural productivity is a matter of
serious concern.
if current trends continue, can not meet food

demand. Even today

11 November 2014

Reasons for Deceleration

-Pressure on Environment & Resource Base
- Decline in Capital Formation in Indian
Agriculture
1.92 % in early 1990s to 1.28% in early 2000s is a
matter of concern

11 November 2014

Investment in Agriculture as perce

Fig-4: Gross Capital Formation In Agriculture (At 1993-94 Prices)(Rs Crore)

2.5
2

1.92
1.57

1.5

1.51

1.43

1.37

1.26

1.28

1.24

1.27

1.31

1
0.5
0
1990-91

1995-96

1996-97

1997-98

1998-99

1999-00

2000-01

Year

Source: Central Statistical Organization ; Economic Survey 2004-05

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2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

Declining Per Capita Availability of Land (Land-man ratio)

Year

Total geographical
area (m. h.)

1951
1981
2000
2007(estimated)

329
329
329
329

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Total Population (m.) 2/Col 3

361
685
986
1096

0.92
0.43
0.33
0.36

Targets / need
Assessing challenges before Indias food system.

11 November 2014

Demand Projections for Food Grain in 2020.

Studies

Indian Council of Medical

Research
Bansil, 1998
Kumar(IFPRI-IARI)
Sinha 1999
Parikh & Dev, 1995
Bhalla & Hazel

Food Grain Requirements (Mt)

375(for ensuring marginal food
security)
283.88
293.4
150(for direct human
consumption)
259
296(cereal demand)

Source: Sinha 1999, Bansil 1998, Bhalla & Hazel 1999.

11 November 2014

Demand for Food Grains By 2020

-260 to 296 m.t. (1300 to 1622)

demand for cereals will exceed
domestic production by 23 m.t. by
2020
-livestock - cereal gap 36 to 64 m.t.
11 November 2014

Need of the time

Higher yields per unit of land, water &
time.
Need technologies that increase
productivity, stability, resilience of
production systems

11 November 2014

Option: Ag. Biotech.

With increasing demand for food and limiting resources...
we need better & more efficient ways to produce food

one option is through Biotechnology

11 November 2014

What is biotechnology?

11 November 2014

A collection of scientific techniques, including genetic engineering.

Used to improve plants, animals and microorganisms.
Can modify crops and livestock more precisely than traditional breeding
methods.

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11 November 2014

What is genetic engineering?

It involves cutting and

moving snippets of DNA
(genes for specific desirable
traits) from one plant, animal
or microbe to another.

Unlike traditional
crossbreeding techniques,
only one or a few genes
are introduced into the host
species. Therefore,
unwanted traits usually are
avoided.

26

When? Why? Who?

Cheese was the first food

product of biotechnology.
The enzyme Chymosin
(bioengineered rennin)
appeared on the market in
1990.
By 1995, other crops were
developed to delay ripening
or reduce crop damage by
weeds, diseases and insects.

In 2001, an estimated 5.5

million farmers grew
biotech crops on 130
million acres in 15
countries (led by the
United States, Canada
and Argentina).
Soybeans, cotton, canola
and corn are the major
biotech crops planted.

28

Foods made from biotech crops

About 60-70 percent of

all processed foods now
contain at least one
ingredient from a
genetically engineered
plant.
In 2002, more than 70
percent of soybeans, 30
percent of the corn crop
and 70 percent of the
cotton crop in the U.S.
were engineered for pest
control.

Biotech diseaseresistant papaya and

squash are available.
Biotech varieties of
potato, tomato, rice,
flax, sugar beet,
sweet corn, melon
and radicchio are
approved for use in
the U.S. but currently
are not on the market.

30

Dairy and meat products

More than 70 percent of cheese on the U.S. market is made with a genetically
engineered enzyme (chymosin).
Milk commonly is obtained from cows treated with a biotech growth hormone
(rBST) in order to increase milk production.
Livestock routinely eat feed made from biotech crops.
No genetically engineered fish, cows, pigs, sheep, chickens or other food
animals were on the market as of 2002.

32

Other products

Vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements

Medicines: virtually all insulin is biotech
Detergents
Textiles
Pulp and paper
Leather
Metals
Fuels

34

What is genetic engineering?

It involves cutting and

moving snippets of DNA
(genes for specific
desirable traits) from one
plant, animal or microbe
to another.

Unlike traditional
crossbreeding techniques,
only one or a few genes
are introduced into the host
species. Therefore,
unwanted traits usually are
avoided.

35

A revolution in biotechnology improving wealth,

well-being. Can it also be used to serve food &
nutrition needs of Indians?
Biotechnology has raised questions about
opportunities, problems & risks.
Question for India becomes: will we get left
behind?

11 November 2014

Genetic Modifications of Crops

In how many ways are crops genetically
modified today?

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11 November 2014

How can we get better crops?

1. Selection

6. Radiation Mutagenesis

2. Breeding

7. Chemical Mutagenesis

3. Hybridization

8. Gene Splicing

4. Cloning

9. Genomics/Gene Expression

5. Grafting

10.Tissue Culture

11 November 2014

Common Among These:

-One

doesnt know exactly what genes are changed

- All these methods may introduce unknown genetic
changes, which could have unanticipated
consequences.
- No method of generating new plant varieties is 1000
% risk-free.

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II
DEFINING BIOTECHNOLOGY

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Gene
basic physical & functional units of
heredity which carries information for
expression of a particular trait
-

Doing DNA: DeCode of Life

DNA: Carrier of Genes

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What is Biotechnology?
Definitions Back to 1917
Can include selection, breeding,
fermentation, tissue culture, genetic
analysis, & DNA analysis (genomics) or
Gene Splicing or Recombinant DNA
Technology

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Biotechnology Is it a novel tool?

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Somatic gene
therapy
11 November 2014

Modified from:
http://muextension.missou
ri.edu/xplor/regpubs/ncr55
2.htm

From Recombining DNA to Recombinant

DNA Technology
1973 Cohen & Boyer
-Gene Pool Becomes a Gene Ocean
-Any Organism on Earth is a Source for Genes for
Use by Breeders
-Recombinant DNA Technology is one of
most powerful tools ever invented.

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Wild Relative

Crop Plant

Conventional Breeding
closely related species
undesirable genes
long time

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Wild Relative

Crop Plant

Genetic Engineering

Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs)

= Transgenics

Products developed through genetic engineering

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GE of animals

GE to develop animal
vaccines

GE of biocontrol
agents against plant
pest & diseases
Plant protoplast
fusion

GE of plants

GE to improve
microorganisms

Recombinant DNA
for disease
diagnostics
Monoclonal anti
body production
Plant tissue culture

Embryo transfer
Fermentation, Biofertilizers
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Insulin for diabetes

Interferon for cancer
Hepatitis B vaccine

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III
BENEFITS OF AGRICULTURAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY

11 November 2014

11 November 2014

Potential benefits and goals

Safer food supply for consumers

Less impact on the environment
Less expensive food production
Crops less vulnerable to insects, diseases and weeds
Crops with higher/greater nutritional content
Crops used for new materials and energy sources
Crops developed as production vehicles for medicines and
vaccines to prevent disease

53

Biotechnology and agriculture

Agricultural biotechnology
genetic engineering to create,
improve, or modify plants,
micro-organisms or domestic
animals.
Genetically modified
organisms or GMOs

11 November 2014

GM Bt corn plants

Sustainable Benefits
Enhanced productivity in drought prone /
saline areas.

Reduced storage/transportation losses.

Healthier and nutritionally enhanced
foods.
Optimise use of chemical pesticides:
Integrated Pest Management.
11 November 2014

How Biotechnology helps?

Benefits of biotechnology :
Increased agricultural production
Minimize post-harvest losses
Improve nutritional value of food

11 November 2014

Increased Agricultural Production

Insect resistant plants

Better herbicide resistance in plant
Higher productivity
More tolerant to heavy metals
Stress resistance
drought
Salinity

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II

Improve Nutritional Value Of Food

Correct vitamin A deficiency

More nutritious oils, starch & amino acids
Better fatty acids profiles
Increase iron level
Protein rich wheat & millet

11 November 2014

III Minimize Post-harvest Losses

-Delayed

over-ripening of fruits,
vegetables
-Minimize post-harvest losses in
transport, storage & marketing

11 November 2014

Produce More Food On Less Land With Fewer

Inputs
Increase

grain & fiber yield, Decreased operating costs,

Enhanced water conservation, Reduced soil erosion
Decreased pesticide spraying

*Source:
CLIVE JAMES, GLOBAL REVIEW OF COMMERCIALIZED TRANSGENIC CROPS
Moschini,
al., (Sept. 1999)2014
Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station
11etNovember

Benefit

Increasing crop productivity

Increasing crop quality

Environmental adaptation
Broadening stress tolerance
Increasing disease & pest resistance

Agrochemical reduction
Production of non edible substances

Source: Macer (1997).

11 November 2014

Ag Biotechnology has potential

-To significantly contribute towards:

Poverty alleviation

Rural Development

Strengthened trade & economic

competitiveness

Agricultural sustainability &

Nutritionally improved food availability

11 November 2014

Adoption
Benefits of
Biotechnology

Time
0

Cost

Conventional
breeding
Biotechnology

Assessing Benefits of
Biotechnology Research
11 November 2014

BENEFITS
Biotech Expands Frontiers of Production:
Produce more from diminishing resources
Agronomic Improvements: Pest & Disease
Resistance: Minimizing crop loss due to insects &
blight.
Improved Nitrogen Utilization & Stress Tolerance
Increased Yield

11 November 2014

Global Adoption
6

11 November 2014

Global Area of Transgenic Crops, 1996 to 2007 (M. H.)

120

114.3
102

100

Area(mh)

90
81

80

67.7
60

52.6
39.9

40

58.7

44.2

27.8
20

1.7
0

11
0

0.09 0.1

0.5

1.3

3.8

6.2

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007

Year

Total

11 November 2014

India

Historically, biotechnology most rapidly

adopted new agricultural technology

US, followed by Argentina, Brazil,

Canada, India, and China continued
to be principal adopters of biotech
crops globally,
11 November 2014

Soybean principal crop in 2007,

occupying 58.6 m.h. maize -35.5 m.h.,
cotton -15.m.h., canola 5.5 m. h.

11 November 2014

Global Adoption Rate

Out of four major biotech crop soyabean accounts for
64% adoption rate.
80
64

Percent (%)

60
43
40
24

27

20
0
Soyabean

Source: James, 2007.

11 November 2014

Cotton

Maize

Canola

Rapid Adoption Of Bt Cotton

Higher profits from Bt cotton Document substantial
environmental & health benefits.
Increased yield by up to 50 %, reduced insecticide
sprays by half, with environmental health
implications.
Social benefits: alleviation poverty.

Impact- Bt cotton
Reduction in cost per unit of output
11 November 2014

Agricultural biotechnology
Bt-cotton

Small compact plant

Many mature bolls ready for harvest
-3 sprays for non bollworm pests

Non Bt-cotton

Large plant, excessive vegetative growth

Difficult to spray
Few bolls to harvest
10 sprays for all insect pests

11 November 2014
MR THEMBITSHE JOSEPH BUTHELEZI

Economic & Environmental Benefits

Argentina

China

India

Mexico

Added yield

33

19

26

11

South
Africa
65

Added profit (%)

31

340

47

12

198

2.7

2.2

67

73

77

58

Reduced chemical sprays 2.4

(number)
Reduced pest management 47
costs (%)

11 November 2014

Bt. cotton in India

11 November 2014

Growth of Bt. Cotton in India

63% in 2007. Bt. cotton area has soared to 6.2 m.h.
India: lowest cotton yields in world, now an
exporter rather than an importer.

Gandhi Namboodiri report:

-yield gain 31%
- significant reduction pesticide sprays 39%
- 88% increase in profit.

11 November 2014

Biotech Crops Achieved Several Milestones

increased yields & reduced pesticide.
- 12%, reaching 114.3 m.h.
-Countries- 23.
-half of global biotech crop area- developing
countries
12 m.beneficiary biotech farmers: 90 % small
farmers.

11 November 2014

12 years: met expectations of millions of

large & small farmers.
- High Adoption Rate: Biotech Crops
Performed Well, Delivered Significant
Economic, Environmental, Health , Social
Benefits.

11 November 2014

KEY ISSUES
7

11 November 2014

Biotechnology is Controversial

It touches on so many fundamentals

Our Bodies
Our Families
Our Land
Our Sense of Right & Wrong

11 November 2014

Embracing biotechnology poses:

1- political
2- financial
3- institutional
4- social &
5- cultural challenges

11 November 2014

Risks & Concerns of Biotechnology

Economics : Are we changing economics
on farm?
Environmental :Are we irreversibly
modifying environment?
Globalization :Is technology centralized in
few hands?
Social :Will we develop a class of genetic
outcasts?
Religious :Are we playing God?
11 November 2014

Social choices
Gene manipulation
Changes internal chemistry of organism
Build-up resistance in non-modified plants &
organisms

Bio-safety
GMO food may cause allergic reactions

Bio-diversity
May disturb existing eco-system

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SAFETY

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Criticisms of Recombinant DNA

Technology
Perversion
Poison
Promiscuity
Profit
Power
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Perversion
Transfer of genes from one species to
another is an abomination
The realm of God & of God alone

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Poison
-introduced gene itself may be a poison
-Introducing new genes may turn on
dangerous genes or turn off beneficial genes

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Promiscuity
-introduced gene may make crop a superweed
-introduced gene may flow to wild relatives,
polluting their gene pool
-introduced gene may flow to related weeds,
making them superweeds.

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Profit
Companies are concerned primarily
with making a profit
Food for people, not for profit

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Is Biotechnology Safe?
Is there evidence that gene splicing is
riskier than other methods of genetic
modification?
Is Biotechnology As Safe As Other
Methods of Genetic Modification?

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no evidence that risks of recombinant DNA

technology are different from those of other
methods of genetic modification.

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Indian Policy towards Genetically Modified (GM)

Crops:

An important option to break yield barriers in

Indian agriculture. Yet, most of Indias actual
policies are far from promotional. Intellectual
Property Rights, trade, food Safety, Bio-safety,
&& Public research investment. cause of failure
to expand area under GM crops in India lies on
precautionary approach

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Conclusion & Policy Prescriptions

11 November 2014

It's Safe For People & Environment

High adoption rates reflect farmer
satisfaction.
substantial benefits lower cost of
production, higher productivity and/or net
returns per hectare, health & social
benefits, & a cleaner environment.

It is a solution not without problems, but it

is one we cannot afford to ignore.
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A technology with high potential for India.

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We have to have this new technology, to

meet growing food needs.Risk assessment
must also consider consequences & risks
of not using transgenics.

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-It

is accurate, predictable, faster, scientific

& safe

-Technology is in seed- does not

differentiate large & small farmers
-Provides significant benefits to all
stakeholders: Farmers, Consumers,
Government & Environment

-Is sustainable
11 November 2014

Biotech is delivering on its Promise

Biotechnology has delivered significant environmental

benefits:
- insecticide reduction
- soil conservation & enhanced productivity
- improved water quality
- enhanced sustainability
- promotion of reduced risk herbicides & insecticides improved feed quality
Many of these benefits consistent with Biotechs
primary goals
-Biotech Crops have significantly improved farm
competitiveness
11 November 2014

For example: Some fundamental issues and concerns

1- who has access and who doesnt?
2- Will marginalized groups (the poor, women, ethnic groups, etc..) also
benefit from these technological developments?
3- What are the possible implications of biotechnology on the environment
(GMOs and bio-safety) and on peoples health (food safety, new diseases)?
4- How does corporate control of the technology affect access and benefit
sharing?

11 November 2014

Akram A. Khan
AEBM Deptt. F / O Agricultural Sciences,AMU Aligarh
11 November 2014