By : Aditi Gupta

Abstract:

The integration of nanotechnology into agriculture represents a potential solution to the negative effects of past practices, such as excessive pesticide and fertiliser use following the Green Revolution in India. Nanofertilisers and nanopesticides counter environmental degradation and boost crop resilience to pests and pathogens, addressing modern agricultural challenges. Nanoparticles (NPs) have unique properties due to their large surface-to-volume ratio, allowing for eco-friendly applications, such as soil health restoration, nutrient delivery and enhanced crop shelf life. However, the high reactivity and potential for wide dispersion of NPs also pose risks, especially to farmers frequently exposed to nanotoxic particles in water, soil and air. This article aims to discuss some promising applications and the need for effective policies and consultation with regulatory bodies, for ethical and regulated development with a focus on agribusinesses. In India, government guidelines underscore the importance of balanced, research-based applications of nanotechnology in agriculture, guiding safe and sustainable advancements in the field.

Introduction to Nanotechnology 

Following the Green Revolution in India, the agriculture sector dived into the unchecked exploitation of pesticides and chemical fertilisers. The Government of India further incentivised their use to promote efficiency and higher yields to match up with the exponential growth in its population. The result was a chemical-intensive nature of farming with a booming agro-intensive industry forming. The agribusinesses benefitted from the enlarged consumer market while exploiting natural resources leading to the decreased productivity of agricultural land. Today, however, from smartphones to smart agriculture, we are revolutionising all sectors across the board through the penetration of technology. Agritechnology, also called agtech, agritech and agrotechnology, has also become a critical area of research and innovation, with entrepreneurs looking to invest in the future of agricultural prosperity. Nanotechnology, specifically nanofertilisers and nanopesticides, can sufficiently enhance the lost biodiversity and decrease chemical-intensive farming on one hand while balancing resistance to pests and pathogens in crops on the other. Nanotechnology uses engineering and science principles to synthesise nano-scale materials that may be organic, inorganic, or a combination of both.

The Growing Impact of Nanoparticles in Industry and Daily Life

Nanoparticles (NPs) are higher in reactivity as they have a larger surface area per mass, facilitating their industrial applications while being eco-friendly, clean and inexpensive.  NPs can be formed from green synthesis to extract the Oxygen molecules such as titanium oxide (TiO₂) from Moringa leaves or other sources comprising bacteria, fungi, viruses and plant extract. Green synthesis promotes organically sourced NPs of Silver (Ag), Zinc (Zn) and Titanium (Ti), which have proven to be both reliable and cost-effective. The potential of nano-based agricultural inputs for the current era of development in nations can cement sustainable and irreproachable foundations, oriented towards cultural and environmental sensitivity.

Nanoparticles have already been adopted into daily-use items and consumer products namely sunscreen, nanofibre clothing, eyeglasses and paints. Furthermore, advances in science have learnt to utilise NPs in tissue engineering, medicines and cancer research. They have also found a pathway into the energy sector as its applications have reduced recharge times and enhanced power density in Electric Vehicle (EV) batteries. Captured greenhouse gases can be transformed into synthetic fuels using nanocatalysts, a method with commercial scaling potential. Similarly, nanotechnology and biotechnology in agriculture and agribusinesses will enhance productivity and decrease food waste as newer technology will give better answers to traditional agriculture problems.

Beneficial Applications of Nanotechnology in Agriculture

Nanopesticides, nanofertilisers, nanoherbicides, nanofungicidesand nanoformulations are just a few supplements for crops. They help increase the productivity of soil, aid early flowering and harvesting, seed germination, enhance absorption of nitrogen from the soil, control the spread of pathogens in crops and also restore the quality of polluted soil. Nano-encapsulated fertilisers help in the slow and sustained release of agrochemicals resulting in precise dosage to the plants, aiding smart delivery of nutrients to prevent and minimise nutrient losses in fertilisation. Moreover, a top-down approach to nanotechnology refers to size reduction to create nanoscale materials, like the mechanical-physical process of dry milling flour. The process results in higher water-retaining ability of the flour. Similarly, powdered green tea’s antioxidant properties are enhanced along with the digestion of nutrients upon consumption. 

Nanotech also increases the shelf life of crops through edible coatings. The shelf life is decreased by controlling the loss of moisture, discolouration of skin and delay the growth of microbes. Although the practice of coating is already in practice, with nanocomposite coatings it can be up to only five nanometers thick. Newer and more advanced agritech continuously facilitates a decrease in post-harvest loss and spoilage, better plant protection and disease protection.

Complementary to nanotech in agriculture, smart wireless monitoring using nanosensors and biosensors for pesticide detection in crop commodities is gaining traction. The ease of precision farming with nanotech-based systems, the remote monitoring of microorganisms for early detection of soil infection and the speedy detection of viral diseases are more convenient than ever. 

Agribusinesses have honed in the potential of nanotechnology through investments and entrepreneurship. Food and beverage sector multinational corporations such as Nestle, Unilever, Heinz and Hershey have adopted nanotechnology, hence proving its industrial applications and development outside of mere lab experiments. For example, Unilever utilises nanoemulsion-based ice cream such that the ice cream has healthy benefits.

Conclusion

Just as with any new product on the market, the safety and health risks associated with nanoparticles (NPs) must be thoroughly studied before their widespread use in agriculture. NPs’ high reactivity coupled with high surface-to-volume ratio present potential threats to the environment and human health due to their high penetration ability and capacity for wide dispersion. While smart agricultural practices such as technology-intensive farming aim to reduce stress on natural resources, the introduction of NPs—especially in large amounts or with regular use—may pose risks. Farmers, as the individuals most exposed to nanotoxic particles in water, soil and air, could experience biological changes including potential impacts on tissues and chromosomes. 

Although current research has provided credible insights into the use of NPs, much remains unknown and the development of effective policies and guidelines is essential. There is a requirement for effective policies and guidelines in consultation with subject experts and regulatory bodies such as the FDA and EU who are directly involved in the guidelines and regulation of nanotech-based food ingredients and packaging. In India, the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health and Farmers’ Welfare and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) have released a joint report in 2020 outlining guidelines for evaluating nanotech-based agricultural inputs and emphasises the need for ethically sound regulated research in this emerging field. Conventional farming technologies and methods are no longer able to increase productivity and the introduction of nanofertilisers has proven itself a novel application of agritech with the future capacity to break the yield barriers. India must achieve further development and application of nanotechnology at a sustainable rate for widespread adoption in the fields of precision water management, soil and water reclamation, biotechnology, pest surveillance, pest control, new-generation pesticides and food processing.

Author’s bio

Aditi Gupta is a graduate of B.A. (Hons.) Liberal Arts and Humanities with a major in Political Science and International Relations. She is interested in pursuing further studies in international relations, environment studies and economics.