Importance of agriculture

Adhrika Syam

(abirbsyam@gmail.com)

The world has been profoundly altered by research. Our current standard of living is significantly higher than that of previous generations. It is anticipated that future generations will have even higher living standards as new discoveries continue to be made.

It is estimated that humans double their knowledge in less than seven months. To put it another way, our society will have twice the knowledge of the world around us as it does now in less than seven months. Technologies, which are the results and applications of scientific concepts and principles, will benefit from this new scientific knowledge.

In the field of agriculture, researchers are constantly looking for methods that can improve the yields of crops and livestock, the productivity of farmland, the reduction of losses caused by disease and insects, the development of more effective equipment, and the overall quality of food. Researchers look for ways to protect the environment and increase farmers’ profits. Food and fibre products cost less to consumers, allowing them to spend their money on other things. There are some risks associated with scientific advancement. Society and scientists must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of research. There are some risks associated with each discovery. How much risk is acceptable is up to society, policymakers, and scientists.

There are many kinds of risks. For instance, if a research project’s time and money are not rewarded with a useful product, there may be a financial loss. Pest control may become more challenging as a result of excessive use of antibiotics or pesticides, which may result in the selection of insect and pathogen strains that are more resistant. Production agriculture is now practised on a larger and more specialised scale than ever before. As a result, family farms become less profitable than large corporate farms. The population’s distribution has also changed as a result of scientific progress.

As previously stated, food and fibre production methods are now significantly more effective thanks to technological advancements. Producing food and fibre requires fewer people because of improved efficiency. The United States has gone from a nation where the majority of people lived and worked on farms to one where less than 2% of the population works on farms in a relatively short amount of time. In search of employment opportunities, many rural residents have relocated to urban areas.

Some people are concerned that research-created genetically engineered organisms might cause harm. Genetically modified species’ genes may ‘escape’ from domestication and alter wildlife gene pools, which is a concern. Another possibility is the development of ‘super pests’ that are unable to be controlled.

A lot of people are having trouble figuring out how to feed an ever-growing world population through genetic engineering. The current levels of food production cannot keep up with the current rate of population growth, according to studies. Genetic engineering, according to many scientists, holds the key to significantly expanding global food supplies. The public debate surrounding genetic engineering is fluid. Regarding the study and application of genetic engineering, the public debate is likely to continue. Overall, agriculture has a bright future. In the fields of plant and animal sciences, exciting research is underway. A few examples of agricultural research are provided below. Numerous additional types of research are also being carried out. The standard of living that we enjoy today is likely to rise as a result of agricultural research and ongoing testing.

Immunization of animals: In the past, diseases have been terrible for businesses that raise livestock. The health of livestock has improved as a result of the introduction of medicines and vaccines. Diseases have decreased as a result of animal immunization, which is the process of inducing immunity in animals through vaccination or inoculation. Producers can raise animals in disease-free environments at much lower costs, and the savings are passed on to consumers.

Artificial insemination: The offspring of superior parents produce superior animals. The process of artificially inserting sperm into a woman’s reproductive system is known as artificial insemination. The transfer of genes from a superior sire, or male parent, has significantly increased since artificial insemination was introduced. Almost any producer can gain access to the industry’s best genes thanks to modern methods of collecting, storing, and distributing sperm.

Biological control: Pests have a significant negative impact on agricultural output. Biocontrol is one way to deal with pests. Predatory insects, bacteria, fungi, and viruses are among the biological control methods that can be used to control pests. One illustration of biological control is the introduction of parasitic wasps into the greenhouse environment to control white flies. White fly larvae are where the eggs of the adult wasps are laid.

The wasp larvae consume the white fly larvae when the eggs hatch. The use of the bacterium Bacillus thurengiensis to control insect pests in fields and vegetable crops is another example.

Technology for computers: Computers have made it possible for researchers to complete their work more quickly than ever before. Analysing data that used to take days or even weeks can now be done in seconds. Computerized records of the production of offspring make it simple in animal science to select superior dams and sires. The best blend of feed grains and supplements can be determined with the assistance of feed formulation data. In plant science, computers are used to figure out the best time to water the crop and how much water to give it. They are also used to adjust application rates and determine fertility levels. Computers play a significant role in the analysis of food chemistry by food scientists.

Embryo transfer: Unlike artificial insemination, which takes advantage of the sire’s genetic characteristics, embryo transfer focuses on the dam, or female parent.

Due to the female’s gestation period, using superior dams to improve herds typically takes time. The transfer of embryos from one female, known as the donor female, to another female, known as the recipient female, is referred to as “embryo transfer. The use of embryo transfer makes it possible to produce numerous children annually from a single, superior female. Genetic engineering: Recent advancements in biotechnology and genetic engineering are radically altering animal and plant breeding practices. Scientists have developed methods for selecting and transferring genetic material from one animal or plant to another.

Genetic engineering is a process that has a lot of potential for improving livestock and crops. In comparison to traditional breeding methods, desired outcomes can be achieved more quickly and with greater control over the characteristics that will be expressed in the offspring. Improved nutrition in our food, faster plant and animal growth, and greater resistance to diseases, insects, herbicides, and environmental stresses are among the goals of genetic engineering.

Regulation of growth and yield: Agronomy researchers have identified the plant genes that control processes like photosynthesis, nitrogen fixation, and other crucial metabolic pathways. They can use this information to insert genes or express the genes they want using genetic engineering. Crop plants become more productive as a result. The application of plant growth regulators to particular crops is also getting more attention. The development of corn plants with more ears per plant is the subject of research. Golf courses and lawns can also benefit from the use of growth regulators to slow the rate of grass growth and reduce the frequency with which they are mowed. In the field of agriculture, researchers are constantly looking for methods that can improve the yields of crops and livestock, the productivity of farmland, the reduction of losses caused by disease and insects, the creation of more effective equipment, and the overall quality of food.

Researchers look for ways to protect the environment and increase farmers’ profits. A few examples of agricultural research include artificial insemination, biological pest control, embryo transfer, genetic engineering, hydroponics, and tissue culture. The current standard of living can be enhanced through agricultural research.