understanding of matter at nanometer dimensions (1–100 nm) (US EPA). It manipulates matter of individual atoms, molecules, and molecular clusters in new structures with new or entirely different properties. It involves varied applications like
building, controlling, and structuring of devices and materials of various nature like
chemical, physical, and biological at nanoscale level. In order to promote nanotechnology, the US Federal Government introduced the National Nanotechnology
Initiative (NNI) in 2001. The NNI defines nanotechnology as the restructuring of
matter with at least one dimension ranged from 1 to 100 nanometers. In general the
new physical and/or chemical properties of nanoscale device and material provide
important functions (ObservatoryNANO FP7 2011) that are used in medicine,
electronics, biotechnology, energy sectors, and materials science. As a tool, nanotechnology can handle the world’s most critical water, energy, health, agriculture,
biodiversity (WEHAB)-related problems. These five critical areas have been identified by the United Nations Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development on
2002. UN Survey has identified agricultural productivity enhancement through
nanotechnology in developing countries as the second important aspect for achieving millennium development goals, while energy conversion and storage were first
with water treatment as the third vital areas of nanotechnology applications.
However at global level as well as in India, application of nanotechnology in
agricultural sector and food systems is at nascent stage, and its ultimate success will
depend on the acceptance of the stakeholders. Application of nanotechnology in
agriculture calls for an effective regulatory and strong governance mechanisms and
system with all group of stakeholders’ involvement. Thus nanotechnology can
provide the much required second green revolution in Indian agricultural sector
with emphasis on sustainable production. The applications of nanotechnology have
been discussed in detail in the following sections.
9.2 Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture
Over time agriculture gets constant benefits from different technological innovations
like hybrid varieties and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Now agricultural scientists are realizing that smart innovation like nanotechnology is strongly required for
agricultural growth, to face global challenges of food security and climate change.
The importance of nanotechnology applications in agricultural sector came only in
recent years, but the research was started about half a century back (Mukhopadhyay
2014). The uses of nanomaterials are required for increasing fertilization
(or fertilizer) use efficiency, yields, and reducing pesticide need; rapid and early
pathogens and toxic chemical detection in food items; smart pesticides and fertilizer
delivery systems; smart systems used for food packaging and processing; and
regulating agricultural food security (Moraru et al. 2003; Chau et al. 2007). Agricultural productivity can be improved through nanomaterial-induced genetically
improved animals and plants (Kuzma 2007; Scott 2007), site-specific drug and
gene delivery of molecules at cellular/molecular levels in animals and plants
9 Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture
319
building, controlling, and structuring of devices and materials of various nature like
chemical, physical, and biological at nanoscale level. In order to promote nanotechnology, the US Federal Government introduced the National Nanotechnology
Initiative (NNI) in 2001. The NNI defines nanotechnology as the restructuring of
matter with at least one dimension ranged from 1 to 100 nanometers. In general the
new physical and/or chemical properties of nanoscale device and material provide
important functions (ObservatoryNANO FP7 2011) that are used in medicine,
electronics, biotechnology, energy sectors, and materials science. As a tool, nanotechnology can handle the world’s most critical water, energy, health, agriculture,
biodiversity (WEHAB)-related problems. These five critical areas have been identified by the United Nations Johannesburg Summit on Sustainable Development on
2002. UN Survey has identified agricultural productivity enhancement through
nanotechnology in developing countries as the second important aspect for achieving millennium development goals, while energy conversion and storage were first
with water treatment as the third vital areas of nanotechnology applications.
However at global level as well as in India, application of nanotechnology in
agricultural sector and food systems is at nascent stage, and its ultimate success will
depend on the acceptance of the stakeholders. Application of nanotechnology in
agriculture calls for an effective regulatory and strong governance mechanisms and
system with all group of stakeholders’ involvement. Thus nanotechnology can
provide the much required second green revolution in Indian agricultural sector
with emphasis on sustainable production. The applications of nanotechnology have
been discussed in detail in the following sections.
9.2 Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture
Over time agriculture gets constant benefits from different technological innovations
like hybrid varieties and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Now agricultural scientists are realizing that smart innovation like nanotechnology is strongly required for
agricultural growth, to face global challenges of food security and climate change.
The importance of nanotechnology applications in agricultural sector came only in
recent years, but the research was started about half a century back (Mukhopadhyay
2014). The uses of nanomaterials are required for increasing fertilization
(or fertilizer) use efficiency, yields, and reducing pesticide need; rapid and early
pathogens and toxic chemical detection in food items; smart pesticides and fertilizer
delivery systems; smart systems used for food packaging and processing; and
regulating agricultural food security (Moraru et al. 2003; Chau et al. 2007). Agricultural productivity can be improved through nanomaterial-induced genetically
improved animals and plants (Kuzma 2007; Scott 2007), site-specific drug and
gene delivery of molecules at cellular/molecular levels in animals and plants
9 Application of Nanotechnology in Agriculture
319