Nanobiotechnology to be used to improve agricultural systems and increasing food requirements
‘Guidelines for Evaluation of Nano-based Agri-input and food products in India’ was jointly released by Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Minister for Science & Technology, Health & Family Welfare and Earth Sciences and Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development & Panchayati Raj in Delhi on July 7, 2020.
The guidelines have been prepared by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in conjunction with Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The guidelines are meant to assist in policy decision making by providing relevant information on the existing regulations for nano-based products in agriculture and food and also to ensure quality, safety and benefits of the intended products. Compared to the amount of chemical inputs in crops, use of nano-nutrients can reduce nutrient run-off into ground and surface water and can thus help to reduce environmental pollution.
The guidelines can also help policy makers and regulators to frame effective provisions for future novel nano-based products in the agri-input and food sectors. The guidelines will also provide significant benefits for the government’s mission on doubling farming income by 2022.
