Involvement of Biotechnology In Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation: Improving Agricultural Yield and Food Security
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Date
2011-10-31
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International Journal for Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Research
Abstract
In the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation, biotechnology can respond positively
towards reducing vulnerability of natural and human systems to climate change effects. This paper
reviews different approaches in which both conventional and modern biotechnology can be employed
to address climate change adaptation and mitigation for improved crops adaptability, productivity and
food security and contributing to the reduction of the greenhouse gases. The current challenges and
future perspectives of biotechnology for climate change adaptation and mitigation are highlighted. The
negative effects of climate change on agricultural productivity and food security as a result of extreme
temperature, drought, salinity and infectious disease vectors include low yield, hunger and
malnutrition. Conventional agricultural biotechnology methods such as energy-efficient farming, use of
biofertilizers, tissue culture and breeding for adaptive varieties are among feasible options that could
positively address the potential negative effects of climate change and thereby contributing to carbon
sequestration initiatives. On the other hand, the adoption of modern biotechnology through the use of
genetically modified stress-tolerant, energy-efficient and high-yielding transgenic crops also stand to
substantially counter the negative effects of climate change. Safe application of biotechnology will
greatly complement other on-going measures being taken to improve agricultural productivity and food
security. Both conventional and modern agricultural biotechnologies will significantly contribute to the
current and future worldwide climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts
Description
This research article was published by International Journal for Biotechnology and Molecular Biology Research in 2011