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Can Nanotechnology Provide the Innovations for a Second Green Revolution in Indian Agriculture? R.Kalpana Sastry*, N.H.Rao**, Richard Cahoon* and Terry Tucker* * Cornell University, NY; ** NAARM, India Contact: kr273@cornell.edu Method Results Changing Context From green revolution to decline in ag.growth Source: Planning Commission, GOI, 2004 From self-sufficiency to concerns on food security “Is it a technology fatigue?” Objective Preliminary assessment of potential of nanotechnology (NT) for sustainable agricultural growth in India NT in agriculture is an evolving field : Has potential to revolutionize agriculture and food systems (Roco, 2003; Kuzma and Verhage, 2006) To improve the conditions of the poor (Juma and Yee-Cheong, 2005) Investments in India over $25 million for next 5 years Need to conceptualize, prioritize and design NT research across various links in the agricultural production- consumption value chain Fig Source: Hartwich et al, 2003 Possible Themes and Research Natural resource management: efficient use of soil, water, energy inputs Value addition of ag-waste/bio-mass Disease diagnosis Delivery mechanism in plant-soil-animal system Tracking biodiversity Horticultural /food supply chain Food processing/packaging Value-addition of ethnic foods Protocols for risk assessment/safety Education Awareness across society (ELSI) Developing new genetic types/ breeds/cultivars Priority Research Areas A Road Map for NT in Indian Agriculture Develop a database/knowledge base to assess applications in agriculture based on: Areas of research (across various links in agri-chain) Products Methods Timeline Potential for effective interface with current research trends Environmental, health and societal implications IP and biodiversity related issues Assess priorities Identify institutional strategies for: Research, educational, extension, governance and regulation Missed in early stage of ag-biotech development ! Conclusion Nanotechnology could provide the much needed trigger for a second green revolution in Indian agriculture if the following are emphasized: Strategic approach to nanotechnology research and development across the agricultural value chain. Environmentally and socially responsible development of the technology. Anticipatory design of effective regulatory mechanisms and strong governance systems designed with involvement of all the stakeholders. Ultimate acceptance by the stakeholders. Acknowledgments: SM Ilyas, NAARM; Lesley Yorke, Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science; Fulbright Scholar Program; IP/CALS, Cornell University