Realizing the Potential of Nanotechnology for Agriculture and Food Technology

Abstract

Nanotechnology is one of the most promising tools for the current revolution in agri-food sector. Nanotechnology approaches provide novel and innovative ways to improve crop yield and to reduce the use of harmful crop protection agents. Nanotechnology can be useful for biotic and abiotic stress tolerance of plants, lesser use of pesticides/insecticides/herbicides, nanosensors for crop protection from bacteria, disease treatment, pest control management and genetic manipulations by nano delivery vehicles. Also, nanotechnology has great advantages in food sector like detection of pesticides/toxicants in food items, development of food storage and packaging materials, enhancement of shelf life of foods, nanoencapsulation of food nutraceuticals or bioactive molecules, detection of pathogens in food materials, enhancement of food taste, color and odour. Above all, safety concerns regarding the use of nanomaterials should be of priority before their exploration for positive impact on agriculture and food.