The Future of Farming: How Biotechnology is Revolutionizing Agriculture

Hey there, I’m Ambika, and welcome to the 9th edition of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer)! 🌱

As the world battles climate change, soil degradation, and the challenge of feeding a growing population, agricultural biotechnology stands as a beacon of hope. To explore its transformative potential, we spoke with Dr. Priyanka Siwach, a leading expert in the field of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. She shared insights on genetic engineering, biofortification, and groundbreaking innovations that are reshaping the future of food security and sustainability.

🔍 In this exclusive interview, she sheds light on key topics such as:

1. The impact of declining soil fertility and climate change on agriculture

2. Biofortification as a strategy for improving nutritional security

3. The role of biotechnology in ensuring global food security

4. Advancements in livestock health management for safer and sustainable farming

5. How biotechnology is empowering Indian farmers

6. The contribution of startups to agricultural innovation

7. A journey from biotechnology to life coaching: Lessons learned

8. Why awareness, competence, and embracing uncertainty are key to success

Innovation flourishes where curiosity meets perseverance, and I had the privilege of speaking with someone who truly embodies both. What does it take to break barriers in science, leadership, and personal growth—all at once? Some might say it’s curiosity, others may call it grit, but Dr. Priyanka Siwach has lived it.

A professor, researcher, life coach, author, artist and creative powerhouse, Dr. Siwach has dedicated over 23 years to decoding both DNA and human potential. With groundbreaking research in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, a patent, and over 70 research papers, she has left a mark in academia. Beyond science, she’s a mentor, motivational speaker, poet, and sketch artist, proving that true intelligence is multidimensional.

After serving several leadership roles at Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, she has not only advanced scientific research but also inspired countless students and professionals. I extend my sincere gratitude to Dr. Priyanka for taking the time to provide us with her insightful interview, despite her frequent travels and busy schedule.

Addressing Declining Soil Fertility and Climate Change

How is modern agricultural biotechnology helping farmers tackle challenges like declining soil fertility and climate change?

Dr. Priyanka Siwach: The challenges of declining soil fertility and climate change are becoming increasingly urgent, especially in a country like India, whose economy is dominantly agriculture-based. Over the years, intensive farming practices, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, and poor soil management have led to a steady decline in soil health. Simultaneously, farmers face unpredictable weather conditions like erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures, all of which threaten crop yields and make it harder to maintain consistent productivity.

Modern biotechnology is helping farmers tackle these challenges worldwide. Drought-resistant GM (genetically modified) crops can be a breakthrough in regions where water scarcity is a major issue. This is especially important in India, where agriculture heavily depends on seasonal rains. Likewise, by engineering plants to better absorb nutrients, biotech has reduced the need for excessive fertilizer application. This helps to preserve soil fertility in the long run while minimizing the environmental impact of fertilizer overuse, which has been a major contributor to soil degradation in India. Pest and disease resistance in crops is another vital area where biotechnology is making a difference, and BT cotton is a famous example.

“The reduced use of pesticides not only lowers production costs but also protects the soil ecosystem.”

Furthermore, certain GM crops have been designed to withstand soil erosion. With deep, strong root systems, these crops can help stabilise the soil, especially in regions prone to flooding during the monsoon or areas with heavy winds. Biotechnology has facilitated the development of crops that can tolerate extreme temperatures, flooding, or even saline soils. For example, salt-tolerant rice varieties can thrive in areas where traditional crops struggle due to high soil salinity, which is becoming more common due to rising sea levels and changing weather patterns.

Unfortunately, in India, as of today, the only commercially released GM crop is Bt cotton; other GM crops like mustard, brinjal, and HT cotton are still awaiting approval for commercial cultivation. The most recent development is the approval of GM mustard (DMH-11) by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for commercial release; however, it is currently under legal challenge in the Supreme Court, withholding its commercial cultivation.

We see the success stories of GM crops in countries like the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and China, where these crops have given a major boost to the economy and have contributed greatly to sustainable agricultural practices for more than three decades.

It’s high time that India becomes open to GM crops and allows biotechnology to tackle the current challenges faced by farmers.

Our recent book highlights some of the latest developments in agricultural biotechnology.

Biofortification: A Solution for Nutritional Security

Your book highlights biofortification—how can it improve nutritional security for farmers and rural communities?

Dr. Priyanka Siwach: Yes, in the book there is one chapter on Wheat Biofortification- a solution to hunger and malnutrition.

Biofortification can greatly improve nutritional security by increasing the nutrient content of staple crops like rice, maize, and wheat. This helps address common deficiencies in rural communities, such as iron, zinc, and vitamin A, leading to better health outcomes like reduced anemia and stunted growth. It’s also cost-effective since biofortified crops are locally grown, eliminating the need for expensive supplements or processed foods.

Overall, biofortification provides a sustainable, accessible solution for improving nutrition, empowering farmers, and enhancing food security in rural areas.

Biotechnology’s Role in Global Food Security

With a growing population and shrinking arable land, how does biotechnology ensure global food security?

Dr. Priyanka Siwach: Biotechnology is essential for ensuring global food security as the population grows and arable land decreases.

Genetically modified (GM) food crops have been proven to increase yields, improve resilience, and reduce environmental impact. For instance

“Bt corn, for example—it has boosted yields by 15-20% and cut pesticide use by 37%, saving $3.5 billion annually in the U.S. alone.”

Drought-Gard corn, designed to withstand water stress, has shown yield improvements of up to 14% in drought-prone areas. Another example can be of Golden Rice, the biofortified crop engineered to contain beta-carotene (provitamin A) to combat vitamin A deficiency.

“In trials, Golden Rice has been shown to provide 50-60% of the daily vitamin A requirement for children in areas with poor access to diverse diets, potentially preventing over 500,000 deaths and 250,000 cases of blindness annually.”

GM soybeans, which account for over 90% of soybean production in the U.S., have led to more efficient farming, with up to 20% reductions in fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions due to fewer tractor passes in fields. Another beautiful example we can take is that of GM papaya, which is resistant to the ringspot virus. It saved the Hawaiian papaya industry from collapse, ensuring the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and preventing significant losses.

As the global population is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, biotechnology offers solutions to increase food production and nutritional quality while reducing the environmental footprint, ensuring food security in an increasingly resource-constrained world.

Safer Livestock Health Management

With concerns around antibiotic resistance, how can biotechnology offer safer alternatives for livestock health?

Dr. Priyanka Siwach: Antibiotic resistance is a global crisis, and biotechnology presents effective alternatives to reduce reliance on traditional antibiotics in livestock. Probiotics and prebiotics have been shown to reduce pathogen colonization and enhance the immune response in livestock, with studies indicating up to 30% fewer antibiotic treatments in poultry when using Lactobacillus strains.

Bacteriophage therapy has gained attention for its ability to target specific pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli, demonstrating up to a 60% reduction in infections without promoting resistance. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) also offer a potent solution, with research showing a 40% reduction in antibiotic use in poultry when AMPs are introduced.

GM livestock, such as pigs engineered for disease resistance, could potentially cut antibiotic use by 50%, especially in controlling respiratory diseases. Vaccines, developed through biotechnology, have significantly reduced the need for antibiotics by preventing diseases upfront, as seen with vaccines for Mycoplasma bovis in cattle, which can lower antibiotic treatments by over 40%.

Phage and enzyme-based feed additives targeting pathogens like Clostridium perfringens in poultry have shown a 50% reduction in antibiotic use, while rapid diagnostic tools like PCR-based tests help identify infections faster, cutting unnecessary antibiotic use by 30-50%. Furthermore, microbiome modulation, which has been shown to reduce infection rates by up to 25%, offers another avenue for less reliance on antibiotics.

“RNA interference (RNAi) technology is another game-changer, cutting infection rates in poultry by 70% without antibiotic use. Vaccines developed through genetic engineering have also lowered antibiotic treatments in cattle by over 40%.

These biotechnological innovations not only reduce the need for antibiotics but also promote more sustainable practices in livestock health management, providing a vital solution to the global challenge of antibiotic resistance.

Our recent book has two chapters dedicated to RNAi and phage therapy, highlighting the significant role Biotechnology can play in handling the emerging challenges of antibiotic resistance.

Empowering Indian Farmers Through Biotechnology

What key biotechnological advancements should Indian farmers be aware of?

Dr. Priyanka Siwach: As of today, Indian farmers are struggling greatly with yield issues due to unpredictable and extreme weather conditions, degrading soil health and the high cost of chemical inputs. Biotechnology can really be a big savior here.

“The success of Bt cotton in India is a testament to this—over 90% of cotton cultivation today is Bt cotton, proving its benefits for yield and pest resistance.”

Today, even a very marginal farmer cultivating cotton prefers BT cotton over others. This data speaks about the volume of benefits farmers are getting from this GM crop. And this success story can happen with other GM crops like GM mustard and GM brinjal as well, if approved for commercial cultivation.

While awareness of biotechnology is essential, farmers also need policy support to access these innovations legally and safely.

The Role of Startups in Agricultural Innovation

What should today’s youth know about agriculture, and how can startups contribute?

Dr. Priyanka Siwach: Today’s youth in India must understand agriculture's critical challenges, as nearly 60% of the population relies on it for livelihood and look for opportunities to tackle these issues. Issues like climate change, soil degradation (with 50% of Indian soil nutrient-depleted), and water scarcity are becoming increasingly urgent. Additionally, over 60% of farmers are over 50, highlighting the need for younger generations to get involved. Startups can play a transformative role in this space by introducing innovative farming solutions.

“The global agricultural technology market, valued at $12.3 billion in 2020, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.5%, presenting immense opportunities for innovation.”

Startups can help by implementing artificial intelligence (AI)-driven crop management, precision farming, and blockchain for supply chain transparency. Government initiatives, such as the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, which transfers direct income support to over 100 million farmers, and the National Agricultural Market platform, which connects farmers to national markets, create a favourable ecosystem for technology-driven solutions that can drive sustainability and increase farmer income.

A Personal Journey into Biotechnology

Did your childhood influence your decision to pursue biotechnology?

Dr. Priyanka Siwach: Well, answer to this question is not very straight. I would say, since childhood, I have been deeply drawn to understand how human life works. At that time, I didn’t feel aligned with the given value set-up about destiny being pre-determined and a person’s negligible role in life; I used to have lots of unanswered questions. But, at that time, I didn’t know how to find these answers in any academic field.

In fact, at that time, like any other Indian middle-class household, I also had only two options: engineering or MBBS. By choice, I tried for MBBS but was not successful. Then, I pursued a BSc in medical sciences, and that time was a game changer. I allowed my passion for reading to go full flame. I was a frequent visitor of the library and read a lot within and beyond my academic field.

“I vividly remember the day I read an article about the emerging field of genetic engineering- DNA has the code for life, and we can change the code. Wow! I could not sleep that night, trying to understand life from this new perspective. That day, I decided to pursue my postgraduate degree in Biotechnology.”

In 1995, I completed my graduation and started looking for MSc programs in Biotechnology. In those days, biotechnology was offered in very few institutes, and I was lucky enough to have CCSHAU, Hisar, which had just started this course one year earlier. After MSc, I completed my PhD from there only.

Mental Well-being for Students and Youth

As a mentor and life coach, what advice do you have for students facing anxiety?

Dr. Priyanka Siwach: Students and youth in today’s times face multiple stress issues like career uncertainty, struggles with expectations from self and parents, time-management, distractions, and relationship issues, among the top ones.

With 23+ years of experience with students, the one common denominator I have observed is the presence of an insatiable craving for satisfaction within, hence running outward to fill this void in them.

“The one tip that I would give here to students is to learn to stop, to look inside and really find for themselves what they want.”

Also, I have observed that anxiety happens when the focus is always on what is not there, and sometimes, this need becomes very overwhelming. Here, I always ask students to also pay attention to what they already have instead of just focusing on what they don’t have; the elements of happiness and suffering are always available to everyone parallelly. Paying attention to the elements of happiness that are already present in our lives (like good health, the blue sky, the opportunity for education, good living conditions, parents, etc.) gives us the energy to handle the elements of suffering (stress and tension). We must also learn to nurture our happiness rather than only chewing on the struggles and uncertainties.

As we cruise the fast-changing world of agriculture, this conversation with Dr.Priyanka Siwach serves as a reminder of how innovation, policy, and awareness must come together to secure our future. As biotechnology continues to shape the future of agriculture, its role in enhancing food security, sustainability, and farmer prosperity cannot be overstated. India stands at an important juncture where nurturing these innovations can transform its agricultural landscape to solve food security for the coming generations. What are your key takeaways from this discussion?

For more insights, be sure to check out Dr.Priyanka Siwach’s latest book on agricultural biotechnology called “Biotechnological Advances in Agriculture, Healthcare, Environment and Industry”. The book is co-edited by Suresh Kumar Gahlawat, Raj Kumar Salar, Joginder Singh Duhan and Pradeep Kumar Sadh.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s edition! If you found value in it, I’d love for you to share it with your friends—it truly fuels my passion to bring you more insightful and inspiring content every week.

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Can’t wait to connect again next week! Until then, keep championing sustainability and resilience in everything you do. 🌱✨