Call for comprehensive national policy on nano science

The Chief Controller and Nano Mission Leader at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), New Delhi, Dr W. Selvamurthy, stressed the need for a comprehensive national policy on nano science and technology for the development and application in agriculture.

“A road map is necessary; food security – vital. Though we are self-reliant today, we need an ever-green revolution,” he said at the inauguration of a two-day national seminar on ‘Nanotechnology for enhancing food security' at the farm varsity here last week.

Investment potential

While stating that there is huge investment potential in the nano-science and technology space, the DRDO scientist said, “India's investment in such technologies is miniscule. The country instead, has invested in knowledge and intellectual capital. We might have started late, investment might be less, but we are there.”

Reiterating the need to focus on nano-science and technology to ensure security of food, health, energy and environmental safety, he said ‘nano-science can contribute in a big way towards this. The world market for nano-science and technology is $300 billion at present. It is expected to touch $35,000 billion by 2040.”

He urged scientists and students to be creative, innovative and eye the potential of nano-science. “Although we are there, we are working in isolation. We need to integrate academia, R&D and the industry. This networking unfortunately is not taking place in our country,” said the DRDO Nano Mission Leader.

Precision farming

“Globally, agriculture scientists are trying to adopt precision farming to maximise output while minimising inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides etc. While such practices can help reduce agricultural waste, nano sensors and monitoring systems enabled by nanotechnology would have larger impact on future precision farming methodologies,” he said.

Highlighting the challenges in the agriculture sector in India, he said ‘declining profitability, depletion of natural resources, resurgence of new pests and diseases, global warming and climate change among others are some areas of concern for growth. While nano-chemical pesticides are already in use, other applications are still in a nascent stage and could take years before they are commercialised.

Using a slide, he explained how heavy dosage of fertilisers resulted in contamination of the soil with heavy metals.

“By using iron-nano particles, we can remove the remediation,” Dr Selvamurthy said and hinted that DRDO would look to partner with the farm varsity here to enhance productivity and production.”

TNAU Vice-Chancellor, Dr P. Murugesa Boopathi, said funding for agriculture-oriented nano technology projects was still insignificant. The university however, took efforts to use nanotechnology to improve soil health, crop productivity, food preservation and environmental safety. “We have come up with a nano fertiliser that has been accepted,” he added.

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