BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE

AUTHOR – M. ANNIE DEVADHARSHINI, LLM SCHOLAR AT DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUTIES EDUCATION. SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW, TAMILNADU DR.AMBEDKAR LAW UNIVERSTITY

BEST CITATION – M. ANNIE DEVADHARSHINI, BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AGRICULTURE, ILE MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 4 (1) OF 2025, PG. 20-33, APIS – 3920-0007 | ISSN – 2583-7230.

ABSTRACT

Bio-Technology has become a cornerstone in transforming agriculture, enhancing crop yields, resilience, and nutritional quality through Genetic Modification(GM) and other innovative techniques. This article examines both the positive and negative impacts of the biotechnology in agriculture. On the Positive side, biotechnology enhances food availability, decreases reliance on chemical inputs, and improve nutrition, particularly in regions with limited access to diverse diets and promote sustainable farming practices. As agriculture increasingly shifts towards a commercial industry, biotechnology also supports large-scale production, efficient resources use, and enhanced profitability. The negative impacts are, the widespread use of genetically modification crops has raised concerns about biodiversity loss and potential ecological risks. To address these, India enforces strict biodiversity guidelines under the National Biodiversity Act,2000. The patenting of biotech seeds by large corporations leads to dependency among small farmers who may struggle to afford the high costs of the GM seeds. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act,2001 offers some safeguards by protecting farmers rights to save and reuse seeds. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) require extensive testing and labelling of GM foods to ensure safety of the human beings. This article address that how agricultural biotechnology being used, and its benefits, and its safety considerations and also address the risks and ethical concerns. Overall, while biotechnology has contributed significantly to India’s agricultural growth, the government’s regulatory framework is crucial to manage risks, ensure ethical practices, and protect the environment, carefully balanced to safeguard human rights, and ensuring that biotechnology benefits are distributed equitably across India’s diverse farming landscape.

KEY WORDS: Biotechnology, Genetic Modification (GM), Agriculture Transformation, Crop Yields, Nutritional Quality, Food Security, Sustainable Practices, Chemical Inputs Reduction, Biodiversity Concerns, Ecological Risks.