Question

Explain the meaning of biotechnology and its impact on agricultural management with suitable examples. 

Answer 1

Biotechnology is the branch of biology that involves application of technology in utilising the living organisms or their parts to produce products useful for humans. Biotechnology can be used in agricultural management in the following ways:

• Biotechnological procedures have enabled us to produce genetically modified crops which have various useful characteristics which are not present in the original varieties.
• Pest-resistant crop can be produced by this process which also reduces the load of chemical pesticides and thus protects the environment, example, Bt cotton.
• Disease-resistant crops can be produced by this method which are capable of handling environmental stress like drought, changing temperature etc.
• High-yielding crops with better shelf life can be produced.