Page 46 - Abhivruddhi

50%. Indeed, if the losses are less than 10% then there will be substantial
increase in yield and earnings too.
Invasive pests cost countries at least $70 billion annually and are one of
the main drivers of biodiversity loss too. Furthermore, a team of scientists
from University of Turin, Italy expressed a major concern of the effect of
climate change on pest population. In June 2021 they published a report
on the impact of the climate change on plant pests. The report underlines
the increased risk of plant pests to the agricultural and forest ecosystems.
This report also highlights how climate change will affect the pest complex
in different crops around the world.
The chemicals are heavily sprayed in the field for various reasons.
India’s agrochemicals consumption is 0.58 kg/ha while that in USA is 4.5
kg/ha. In Japan 11 kg/ha agrochemicals are being used. As a result, the
heavy chemical sprays increase pathogen and pest resistance, adversely
affect useful soil biodiversity, cause a decline of pollinators and even
destroy bird habitats. Ideally one has to use integrated approach with
biologicals, usually preventive, along with reduced/ judicious pesticide
concentration in the field to achieve a better control. Alternately the
use of microorganisms which can degrade toxic pesticide residues is
another approach. Consortia of microorganisms which can control the
pest and pathogens, have plant growth promoting activities, composting
and bioremediation of pesticide potential could be useful in the field.
Remember! the sudden change from chemicals to biologicals can result
in the catastrophic situation like Sri Lanka. In 2021, Sri Lanka banned
import of chemical fertilizers to make country organic. In reality the
change from chemical to complete organic farming takes minimum 4-5
years. According to the many experts and farmers the process should
have been gradual rather than overnight as this process has directly
affected economy of the country.
Nanobiotechnology. The actual utilization of chemicals on the target
pests or pathogens is <0.1% due to spray drift, rainwater leaching,
etc. A precise release of the necessary and sufficient quantity of active
ingredient(s) is the key for the development of nano-agrichemical
formulations. A targeted delivery can avoid effects on non -target useful
insects like honey bee, silk worm, beetles, earthworms, etc. In other
words, save a rupee earn a rupee.
Nanobiotechnology refers to the use of particles having one or more
dimensions on the order of 100 nm (0.1 micrometer) or less. Sometimes
particles up to 1000 nm are also considered as nano. The nano scale

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