FEBRUARY 20239Genetically Modified seeds is one among the growing industries of the agricultural sector. Some of the challenges in the agricultural biotechnology sector include: Developing Appropriate & Affordable Technologies While there is a need to build or discover new technologies which complement the current farming systems as well as native crops, for rendering them at affordable prices, & which are safe for humans as well as the environment, locally-developed applications should be designed for meeting local conditions as well as user needs & it cannot be assumed that the current applications can be transferred simply as several if not most of the current biotechnology applications are inappropriate for the conditions in developing economies. For example, herbicide-tolerant crops have been slow to penetrate into the South Asian market since because the tolerant varieties are not adapted to crops as well as conditions which are most relevant to developing economies, & more importantly, no-nil technologies in small farm production systems that have been difficult to build.Determining Priorities for BiotechnologyMost often national leaders should be making decisions regarding priorities with limited financial resources, user input as well as scientific understanding. However, the decision makers in developing economies who need their agricultural systems in benefitting from biotechnology have a difficult task. Hence, they try in formulating a strategy in encouraging the development of appropriate applications of biotechnology when they possess only a few mechanisms for finding out what is most required either by farmers or by consumers & with limited financial resources in order to pursue an agenda to introduce transgenic crops from outside sources/developing them internally. In their efforts of defining a research agenda which is scientifically sound, the decision-makers require some scientific advice and this is something which is often lacking in developing nations. Building a strategy in order to improve agriculture needs a decision of which research directions to support. Several workshop participants feel that when it comes to biotechnology, leadership in setting priorities has not been arising from governments of developing economies nor has it been decided by the requirements of subsistence farmers. Instead, the leadership has raised from the investment, development as well as modernization of biotechnologies from the private sector where the main emphasis is on market forces for driving the process. However, the implication of a supply-led market approach is that a product is most often created as well as sold based on its branding by its manufacturers instead of the stated desires of consumers or the quality-assurance pronouncements of the regulatory system. Owing to the profit motivation, a few of the participants believe the private sector would move products to market & sell them to farmers prior to the risks & benefits that are related to the products which are sufficiently evaluated. Building Scientific & Local Capability Investment is required for building & strengthening the national scientific expertise in developing economies. Scientists are required to not just develop, but also evaluate & implement advances in agricultural biotechnology & there is a crucial need for building national bases of scientific expertise in developing economies. Though external organizations can promote technological innovations, the workshops participants have suggested that national as well as local scientists will either have a better understanding of a the strategy for agricultural development, and of the needs of farmers, as well as the value of enhancing specific traits that are related to the performance/marketability of a specific crop or animal. Therefore, policy makers who are investing in national research initiatives should be well served by fostering a new generation of scientific advisers for biotechnology. The Road Ahead The growing population is giving to a surge in the demand for food products & the consequent demand for nutritionally improved food is anticipated to fuel the agricultural biotechnology market during the forecast period. An increase in the adoption of Genetically Modified crops is anticipated to fuel the market throughout the forecast period
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