Bio Social
Mahyco organizes Facebook Live Chat to interact with stakeholders
Dr Usha Barwale Zehr, chief technical officer, Mahyco in a Facebook Live programme talked about various initiative of the company as well as responded to the questions on latest trends in agri-biotech techniques
BY BIOVOICE NEWS BUREAU
During a recent Facebook Live event held online, Dr Usha Zehr Barwale, Chief Technology Officer, Mahyco India laid stress on the need to adopt latest technologies to increase the agricultural productivity. At Mahyco, Dr Usha Zehr is responsible for the research on plant biotechnology, technology transfer to farmers, utilization of new technologies and tools, including biotechnology for improving the quality and productivity of seeds and agriculture. She pointed out towards the immense benefits that can be provided to farmers by adaptation of new technologies to increase the crop yield. Explaining she said,“ I actually grew up in agricultural family. I have seen farmers being happy about good seeds and enthusiastic about getting good returns. With new hybrid crops, the farmer was able to build a pakka house, get motocycle, send children to better education. Social benefits were immense.” Dr Zehr added further,“ Bt cotton gave them
this opportunity. Even the shopkeepers used to
be excited that farmers would be coming to shop during diwali. The importance of farmers within society grew and their quality of life witnessed visible changes.” Answering a question from the BioVoice News, Dr Zehr listed five technologies as the ones that could increase the crop production in India. Precision agriculture, drip irrigation directly to plant roots, soil fertility improvement, post harvesting technology and storage process. Improve genetics to address the environment issues, disease tolerant. Science innovation which are yet to be on farm, Science and technology approach include the genome editing which is much talked about. Phenotype technologies, social sensors, robotics. Crop choices Government of Andhra Pradesh is studying climatic change which is telling them which crops and where they must plant it.“ When we talk about genetics, we should keep in mind the importance of giving a seed to farmer that helps him with productivity. Challenges include the utilization of techniques such as gene editing a non-GM approach. We will have
28 BioVoiceNews | February 2017