E X P E R T I N S I G H T S
rotation and diversification also improve soil health , reducing the need for excessive fertilizers and enhancing resilience to climate change .
Secondly , precision agriculture , enabled by micro-irrigation systems , can potentially reduce water consumption by 30-50 %, establishing it as a sustainable choice for regions grappling with water scarcity . Precision agriculture leverages cuttingedge technologies like drones , sensors , and data analytics to optimize crop yields , conserve resources , and boost overall agricultural productivity . It also facilitates targeted pesticide applications , resulting in a reduction in the expenses for use of agrochemicals by 20-30 % with a consequent reduction in environmental impacts . Research by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations ( ICRIER ) affirms that the adoption of precision agriculture technologies can translate into an income boost of 25 to 50 % for farmers and it empowers farmers with dataguided insights on soil health and nutrient management . The Indian
government is one of the biggest proponents of precision agriculture . The government has launched several programs to support the adoption of precision agriculture technologies , such as the National Mission on Agricultural Extension and Technology ( NMAET ).
By adopting innovative concepts , for example , Direct-Seeded Rice ( DSR ) is another water-efficient approach that uses significantly
“ In India , agriculture alone consumes approximately 80 % of the country ' s water resources , despite only about half of the total cropped area of 140 million hectares .” less water than conventional rice cultivation methods . It also reduces greenhouse gas emissions , making it a more environmentally friendly choice .
Additionally , new plant breeding technologies ( NPBTs ), such as genetically modified and gene-edited crops , offer sustainable options for agricultural development . Genome editing techniques , like site-directed nucleases , can overcome limitations of traditional breeding and transgenesis by offering a more precise and accelerated approach to crop improvement . By identifying and modifying genes related to water-use efficiency , these techniques can create crop varieties that require less water to
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BioVoiceNews | November / December 2023