What is the future scope of BSc in agriculture ?

The career prospects after a BSc in agriculture are bright as India is predominantly an agrarian economy with 60% dependent on agriculture.

As long as humanity survives,What is the future scope of BSc in agriculture ? Articles we need agriculturists to invent high yielding crops.

Because of the pandemic, all sectors of the economy shrank except agriculture. Hence, it is an evergreen industry which is recession proof.

Companies like Mahindra & Mahindra sold a record number of tractors even during the pandemic, when urbanites were hard pressed to control their expenses.

This proves that rural incomes have not dwindled even during the pandemic.

With the sustained efforts of Dr Swami Nathan Hero of the green revolution, India has a surplus production of food grains that feeds its burgeoning population.

Not even China is self-sufficient in food grains. Families in China cannot purchase rice more than their stipulated amount, as they lack technology for surplus production of food.

Rich rural households will envy any city dweller because of their quality of life. This is because of improved incomes by adopting scientific modes of farming.

India has a chain of agricultural universities, be it central or state owned, which train on scientific methods of farming. This has augmented farmer’s income.

These universities offer tremendous job opportunities for agriculture graduates. Apart from these, research centers employ agricultural scientists in large numbers.

The farmer is enjoying the fruits of innovative farming techniques which reflect in his quality of life.

Majority of the students enrolled in private universities in north India come from farming communities.

They have the purchasing power to educate their wards in private institutions. A course in agriculture is gaining momentum owing to the adoption of new techniques in agriculture.

With the world craving for organic diet, there is huge potential for agriculture graduates. They can become entrepreneurs & create jobs for others.

Our scientists have developed an apple variety which grows in Telangana as well. We all heard that apple grows in colder regions only. No longer the case.

Innovation has provided ample opportunities for agriculture students in every domain.

Agriculture graduates find employment in pesticides & weedicide manufacturing companies, as these products are in good demand.

Farmers are desperate for achieving hi yielding crops.

Horticulture trains on growing fruits & vegetables scientifically. This opens up adequate opportunities for graduates.

We know landscaping & plant nurseries are mushrooming in every city. We can spot families buying ornamental plants for their terrace & balcony gardens.

This proves that the sky is the limit for agriculture graduates. Moreover Pomology is the specialized branch that deals with growing of fruits.

With rising incomes, they are concerned about maintaining a good health. They want to have fruits every day to recharge their immunity.

People want to consume organically grown fruits & vegetables. This requires agriculture experts who are trained in growing food products free of chemicals.

There is no dearth of job prospects for agriculture graduates. Over the years, I have visited many colleges for FDP & seminars, but one college worth mentioning is –

Best agriculture colleges in Meerut

The school of agricultural sciences at VGI Meerut offers skill based education that makes the student job ready. We have created world class infrastructure that nurtures industry skills, thus making us the best agriculture colleges in up.

Agriculture is growing rapidly owing to the burgeoning population. We direly need techniques that improve the crop yield. Farmers are searching for ways to augment their incomes.

VGI’s state-of-the-art laboratories & workshops offer the perfect atmosphere to nurture innovative skills, thus making us the best BSC agriculture colleges in Meerut. We motivate students to work on the latest machines that boost innovation & hands-on skills.

VGI has its own farmlands where students learn to experiment with new techniques of agriculture.

We have installed new farming machines that educate students on the advancements in agriculture, thus making us the best agriculture colleges in Meerut.

The seminar halls at VGI are bustling with expert talks & symposiums on the new techniques of agricultural sciences.

The conference hall provides the serene environment for discussions, thus making us the best BSC agriculture colleges in Meerut.

The college library provides ample books & e-resources to enhance the knowledge of the students.

We provide a computing lab that helps for in-depth analysis, thus making us the best agriculture colleges in Meerut.

We evaluate innovative agriculture technique & show them in the farmlands for nurturing hands-on skills.

We have tied up with IARI for doing research on various government projects. Our students, have applied for maximum patents, thus making us the best BSC agriculture colleges in Meerut.

The faculty recruited at VGI are veterans from premier institutes like IARI, BHU, & central universities. We ensure they transmit key skills to the students that improve their job prospects.

The faculty encourages them to take part in discussion that clarifies concepts thus making us the best agriculture colleges in Meerut UP. Majority of the faculty members are doctorates who impart research based learning to the students.

Our faculty members take part in FDPs conducted by IARI to enhance their knowledge & skill set. This way they pass on key skills that lead to placement, thus making us the best BSC agriculture colleges in Meerut.

Advancement in agronomy is crucial for the growth of the nation, as 60% of the populace depends on it.

VGI employs the latest tools & techniques to nurture scientists, thus making us the best agriculture colleges in Meerut.

We make our students’ job ready through internship. VGI has tied up with the leading companies for the internship of the students.

They gain hands-on skills crucial for placement to make us the best BSC agriculture colleges in Meerut.

Most of the students get placed after completing their internship as we train on the current trends in agriculture.

With MNC’s the need for qualified personnel is on the rise. Farmers want to adopt hi yielding methods of farming that boost their income.

India, being an agrarian economy, VGI trains on the scientific methods of agricultural technology, thus making us the best agriculture colleges in Meerut.

Our research fellows do research on key areas of seed science & agronomy that augment the farmer’s income.

VGI believes in application based understanding of the concepts. Our teaching method involves students in the learning process that fosters real learning through practice.

Students take part in experiments, projects & field work where they gain practical know how crucial for excellence in their field. They gain skill by experimenting in labs that refine their knowledge, thus making us the best BSC agriculture colleges in Meerut.

We have been able to achieve this by adopting a futuristic curriculum. We have devised the curriculum in consultation with industry for imparting job ready skills.

Our course committee interacts with industry experts & drafts a skill oriented curriculum. This way we teach what they require in the market.

Our students find lucrative placements owing to their industrial skills, thus making us the best agriculture colleges in Meerut.

We hold parlays with research institutions & central universities to incorporate current teaching methods that harness true learning.

Dr Sudhir Giri Chairman Venkateshwara Group is particular about imparting skills that make the student’s job ready.

With a mission of imparting ‘affordable education & healthcare for all’, he has trained over 5, 00,000 youth & helped them realize their professional desires.

Article “tagged” as:

Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Production

ABSTRACT

Agriculture provides food for humans,Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food Production Articles directly and indirectly. Given the increasing world population, it is necessary to use the modern technologies such as bio and nanotechnologies in agricultural sciences. Nanotechnology has been defined as relating to materials, systems and processes which operate at a scale of 100 nanometers (nm) or less Nanotechnology has many applications in all stages of production, processing, storing, packaging and transport of agricultural products. Nanotechnology will revolutionize agriculture and food industry by novation new techniques such as: precision farming techniques, enhancing the ability of plants to absorb nutrients, more efficient and targeted use of inputs, disease detection and control diseases, withstand environmental pressures and effective systems for processing, storage and packaging. Efficiency of medicine increases by use of nano particle in animal sciences. Silver and iron nano particle are used in the treatment and disinfection of livestock and poultry. Levels of environment pollution can be evaluation quickly by nano smart dust and gas sensors.

INTRODUCTION

Importance of agriculture to all human societies is characterized more than ever with increasing world population. The first and most important need of every human is needs to food, and food supply for humans associated with agriculture directly and indirectly. Growth of the agricultural sector as a context for development objectives is seen as essential in developing countries. Now, after years of green revolution and decline in the agricultural products ratio to world population growth, it is obvious the necessity of employing new technologies in the agriculture industry more than ever. Modern technologies such as bio and nanotechnologies can play an important role in increasing production and improving the quality of food produced by farmers. Many believe that modern technologies will secure growing world food needs as well as deliver a huge range of environmental, health and economic advantages (Wheeler, 2005). Food security has always been the biggest concern of the mankind. Nations, communities and governments have been struggling with the issue since long. Recent decades have seen even bigger challenges on this front. The future looks even bleaker with food shortage issue looming large. The challenge is how to feed the growing population by producing more on a stagnant or shrinking landscape; with lesser input costs and with lesser hazards to the eco-system. (Anonymous, 2009). In between, nanotechnology has proved its place in agricultural sciences and related industries, as an interdisciplinary technology and a pioneer in solve problems and lacks. Nanotechnology has many applications in all stages of production, processing, storing, packaging and transport of agricultural products. The use of nanotechnology in agriculture and forestry will likely have environmental benefits (Froggett, 2009). Farm applications of nanotechnology are also commanding attention. Nano materials are being developed that offer the opportunity to more efficiently and safely administer pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers by controlling precisely when and where they are released (Kuzma and VerHage, 2006). Nanotechnology as a new powerful technology has the ability to create massive changes in food and agricultural systems. Nanotechnology is able to introduce new tools for use in cellular and molecular biology and new materials to identify plant pathogens. Hitherto numerous applications of nanotechnology in agriculture, food and animal sciences, has been proposed. Use of nanotechnology in agriculture and food industry can revolutionize the sector with new tools for disease detection, targeted treatment, enhancing the ability of plants to absorb nutrients, fight diseases and withstand environmental pressures and effective systems for processing, storage and packaging. Nanotechnology has provided new solutions to problems in plants and food science (post-harvest products) and offers new approaches to the rational selection of raw materials, or the processing of such materials to enhance the quality of plant products (Sharon et al., 2010). Smart sensors and smart delivery systems will help the agricultural industry combat viruses and other crop pathogens. In the near future nanostructured catalysts will be available which will increase the efficiency of pesticides and herbicides allowing lower doses to be used. Nanotechnology will also protect the environment indirectly through the use of alternative (renewable) energy supplies, and filters or catalysts to reduce pollution and clean-up existing pollutants (Joseph and Morrison, 2006).Nanotechnology as a powerful technology allows us to have a look at the atomic and molecular level, and able to create nanometer-scale structures. Nanotechnology in agriculture and food production, causing the agricultural land returned to its normal position, greenhouse construction with high performance and productivity, prevent extinction and destruction of plants and animals species, and overall nanotechnology provides the efficiency of the agricultural for higher population. In the agricultural sector, nanotechnology research and development is likely to facilitate and frame the next stage of development of genetically modified crops, animal production inputs, chemical pesticides and precision farming techniques. Precision agriculture means that there is a system controller for each growth factor such as nutrition, light, temperature, etc. Available Information for planting and harvest time are controlled by satellite systems. This system allows the farmer to know, when is the best time for planting and harvesting to avoid of encountering bad weather conditions. Best time to achieve the highest yield, best use of fertilizers, irrigation, lighting and temperature are all controlled by these systems. An important nanotechnology role is the use of sensitive nuclear links in GPS systems controller. While nano-chemical pesticides are already in use, other applications are still in their early stages, and it may be many years before they are commercialized. These applications are largely intended to address some of the limitations and challenges facing large-scale, chemical and capital intensive farming systems. This includes the fine-tuning and more precise micromanagement of soils; the more efficient and targeted use of inputs; new toxin formulations for pest control; new crop and animal traits; and the diversification and differentiation of farming practices and products within the context of large-scale and highly uniform systems of production (Kumar, 2009). The relationship between nanotechnology and agricultural sciences can be investigated in the following fields: Need for security in agricultural and nutritional systems; intelligent systems for preventing and treating of plant diseases; creating new tools for progress in cellular and biological research; recycling waste obtained from agricultural. By using nanotechnology, plant growth ability increases and the best harvest time is determined to achieve the highest performance. In recent decades, agricultural land and soil pollution with hazardous elements and compounds present in industrial and urban wastewater are the most important factors that limiting crop and food production in the world. Nanostructured catalysts are able to eliminate the harmful components of agricultural ecosystems as a safe. This topic is importance in point of view of physiological plant diseases; eliminate food poisoning, organic products and finally production of healthier products. This nanotechnology application will help to reduce pollution and to make agriculture more environmentally friendly with use of nano filters for industrial waste water treatment, nano powders for gas pollutants treatment, and nano tubes for storage clean hydrogen fuel (Anonymous, 2009).

What is nanotechnology science?

Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field that has been entered in different range of applied sciences such as chemists, physicists, biologists, medical doctors and engineers. Targeted research and development, for understand, manipulate and measure at the materials with atomic, molecular and super molecules dimensions is called nanotechnology. Nanotechnology has been provisionally defined as relating to materials, systems and processes which operate at a scale of 100 nanometers (nm) or less. A nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Overall nano refers to a size scale between 1 nanometer (nm) and 100 nm. For comparison, the wavelength of visible light is between 400 nm and 700 nm. A leukocyte has the size of 10000 nm, a bacteria 1000-10000 nm, virus 75-100 nm, protein 5-50 nm, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ~2 nm (width), and an atom ~0.1 nm In this scale, physical, biological and chemical characteristics of materials have fundamentally different from each other and often unexpected actions are seen from them. Nanotechnology considers the topics with viruses and other pathogens scale. So has high potential for identify and eliminate pathogens. (Predicala, 2009; Prasanna, 2007). Recently nano molecules obtained by nanotechnology; there is possibility manipulation on nano scale level, regulate and catalyzed on chemical reactions by these structures. Nano materials are composed of components with very small size, and these components have impacts on the properties of materials at the macro level. Nan particles can serve as ‘magic bullets’, containing herbicides, chemicals, or genes, which target particular plant parts to release their content. Nan capsules can enable effective penetration of herbicides through cuticles and tissues, allowing slow and constant release of the active substances (Perea-de-Lugue and Rubiales, 2009). This convergence of technology with biology at the nano level is called nano biotechnology. Nan biotechnology is a highly interdisciplinary field of research and is based on the cooperative work of chemists, physicists, biologists, medical doctors and engineers (Prasanna, 2007). Nano polymers and nano shells are the most important nano compounds that have many applications in different sciences. Nano polymers are three-dimensional molecules that are achieved through nano synthesis, and nano shell is a nano particle with dielectric core and very thin coating of gold.

Applications of nanotechnology in Animal Science

Nanotechnology will have a potential and ability on future approaches in veterinary and treatment of domesticated animals. Nanotechnology has the ability to provide appropriate solutions for providing food items, veterinary care and prescription medicines and vaccines for domesticated animals. Use of nano capsules for cap and protect of some particular enzymes and proteins would be effective in the livestock and poultry food rations in order to increase yield and effectiveness in the specific context. Taking certain medications such as antibiotics, vaccines, and probiotics, would be more effective in the treating infections, nutritional and metabolic disorders, when use in the nano level. Medicine use is in the nano level has multilateral properties to remove biological barriers for increase efficiency of medicine. Appropriate timing for the release of drug, self-regulatory capabilities and capacity planned are the main advantages use of nanotechnology in the drug treatment. Silver nano particles have been considered as a strong antiseptic (antibacterial and antimicrobial), and it’s widely used for disinfection in the livestock and poultry places. In the cancer treatment, nano particles are connected to the membrane receptors cancer cells, and cancer cells are destroyed with increasing their temperature to 55 °C by infrared waves generated by the nano particles. Also iron nano particles destroy cancer cells by creating magnetic radiation. Breeding suitable time and cross management in livestock, requires to cost and long time in dairy cattle farms. Use of nano-tubes inside the skin of the livestock shows peak real-time of estrus and estrogen hormone, and the exact and actual time insemination (Chakravarthi and Balaji, 2010; Patil, et al., 2009; Scott, 2005).

Applications of nanotechnology in pests and plant diseases management

Today use of chemicals such as pesticides, fungicides and herbicides is the fastest and cheapest way to control pests and diseases. Also biological control methods are very expensive currently. Uncontrolled use of pesticides has caused many problems such as: adverse effects on human health, adverse effects on pollinating insects and domestic animals, and entering this material into the soil and water and its direct and indirect effect on ecosystems. Intelligent use of chemicals on the nano scale can be a suitable solution for this problem. These materials are used into the part of plant that was attacked by disease or pest. Also these carriers in nano scale has self-regulation, this means that the medication on the required amount only be delivered into plant tissue. Nanotechnology helps to agricultural sciences and reduce environmental pollution by production pesticides and chemical fertilizers by using the nano particles and nano capsules with the ability to control or delayed delivery, absorption and more effective and environmentally friendly; and production of nano-crystals to increase the efficiency of pesticides for application of pesticides with lower dose. Nano particles for delivery of active ingredients or drug molecules will be at its helm in near future for therapy of all pathological sufferings of plants. There are myriad of nano materials including polymeric nano particles, iron oxide nano particles and gold nano particles which can be easily synthesized and exploited as pesticide or drug delivery piggybacks. The pharmacokinetic parameters of these nano particles may be altered according to size, shape, and surface functionalization. They can also be used to alter the kinetic profiles of drug release, leading to more sustained release of drugs with a reduced requirement for frequent dosing (Sharon et al., 2010). Diseases are one of the major factors limiting crop productivity. The problem with the disease management lies with the detection of the exact stage of prevention. Most of the times pesticides are applied as a precautionary manner leading to the residual toxicity and environmental hazards and on the other hand application of pesticides after the appearance of disease leads to some amount of crop losses. Among the different diseases, the viral diseases are the most difficult to control, as one has to stop the spread of the disease by the vectors. But, once it starts showing its symptoms, pesticide application would not be of much use. Therefore, detection of exact stage such as stage of viral DNA replication or the production of initial viral protein is the key to the success of control of diseases particularly viral diseases. Nano-based viral diagnostics, including multiplexed diagnostic kit development, have taken momentum in order to detect the exact strain of virus and stage of application of some therapeutic to stop the disease. Detection and utilization of biomarkers that accurately indicate disease stages is also a new area of research. Measuring differential protein production in both healthy and diseased states leads to the identification of the development of several proteins during the infection cycle. These nano-based diagnostic kits not only increase the speed of detection but also increase the power of the detection (Prasanna, 2007). In the future, nano scale devices with novel properties could be used to make agricultural systems “smart”. For example, devices could be used to identify plant health issues before these become visible to the farmer. Such devices may be capable of responding to different situations by taking appropriate remedial action. If not, they will alert the farmer to the problem. In this way, smart devices will act as both a preventive and an early warning system. Such devices could be used to deliver chemicals in a controlled and targeted manner in the same way as nano medicine has implications for drug delivery in humans. Nano medicine developments are now beginning to allow us to treat different diseases such as cancer in animals with high precision, and targeted delivery (to specific tissues and organs) has become highly successful (Joseph and Morrison, 2006).

Applications of nanotechnology in food industry

Oxygen is a problematic factor in food packaging, because it can cause food spoilage and discoloration. One of the applications of nanotechnology in the food industry is developing new plastic for food packaging industry. The nano particles are used in the production of these plastics. Nano particles have been found to zigzag in the new plastic, and preventing the penetration of oxygen as a barrier. In other words, the oxygen for entry into package should during longer route, and hence with the long route for oxygen molecules, food can be spoiled later. Recently, nano-coatings are produced for fruit that covering the fruits completely, and prevent of fruit weight loss and shrinkage. (Predicala, 2009). Developing smart packaging to optimize product shelf-life has been the goal of many companies. Such packaging systems would be able to repair small holes/tears, respond to environmental conditions (e.g. temperature and moisture changes), and alert the customer if the food is contaminated. Nanotechnology can provide solutions for these, for example modifying the permeation behavior of foils, increasing barrier properties (mechanical, thermal, chemical, and microbial), improving mechanical and heat-resistance properties, developing active antimicrobic and antifungal surfaces, and sensing as well as signaling microbiological and biochemical changes (Joseph and Morrison, 2006; Moraru et al., 2003). With coated the enzymes by nanotechnology, we can keep them away of environment and prevent of working them. Thus, the nutrients corruption will be postponed and their longevity increases. Ethylene absorbent is the most important material that is produced by nanotechnology. Absorbent ethylene nano materials, absorbs ethylene gas that is produced by fruits (fruit decay increases by ethylene gas) and increases persistence of fruit for long periods. Nano barcodes and nano processing could also be used to monitor the quality of agricultural produce. Scientists at Cornell University used the concept of grocery barcodes for cheap, efficient, rapid and easy decoding and detection of diseases. They produced microscopic probes or nano barcodes that could tag multiple pathogens in a farm which can easily be detected using any fluorescent-based equipment. This on-going project generally aims to develop a portable on-site detector which can be used by nontrained individuals (Li et al., 2005). With the advent of nano technology, nano based bar codes are also available which can do the same function as that of conventional bar codes, thereby helping in tracking and controlling the quality of food product and give all relevant details in minute (Prasanna, 2007). Biosensor is composed of a biological component, such as a cell, enzyme or antibody, linked to a tiny transducer, a device powered by one system that then supplies power (usually in another form) to a second system. The biosensors detect changes in cells and molecules that are then used to measure and identify the test substance, even if there is a very low concentration of the tested material. When the substance binds with the biological component, the transducer produces a signal proportional to the quantity of the substance. So if there is a large concentration of bacteria in a particular food, the biosensor will produce a strong signal indicating that the food is unsafe to eat. With this technology, mass amounts of food can be readily checked for their safety of consumption (Johnson, 2005).

Nano-fibers