| |JULY 20229A CTO must implement upgraded knowledge as required, quickly adapting to the changing needs and knowledge of farmers, land-related factors, and market situations. Considering that the sector is surrounded by significant government regulation, coupled with a lack of awareness, a CTO also contributes to the spread of knowledge on the field, while dispelling misinformation. Science is at the heart of agricultural biotechnology. Hence, to maintain a competitive edge, a CTO must be oriented towards optimally utilizing R&D infused with new and relevant technologies to create products suited to a particular market and involve farmers in their introduction and usage. One of the major concerns for the CTOs in the agricultural biotechnology industry is the higher costs for the development of agri biotech products. How do you propose to allay these concerns?The High costs of agri biotech prod-ucts remains a concern, as it is one of the hindrance for the development. Apart from the costs incurred in re-search and the development of a prod-uct itself, the time spent on its approv-al also translates into high cost for a company. However, where high cost is an impediment, it is also an opportu-nity for innovating processes, making them more cost-effective, ultimately benefiting for farmers. Gene editing is one such innovation that has become an integral part of the tool box for agri biotech companies. It is affordable and takes less time. Globally, it is sub-ject to much lower level of regulation in comparison to the transgenic tech-nology. In fact, many of the recent age innovations in the US have come out of startup companies, demonstrating its affordability. Today, companies are bullish about digitalization, which ensures timeliness, precision and ac-curacy of processes. It is such an in-trinsic pressure that has led to novel technologies like gene editing which are more affordable and involve lesser regulatory oversight. Data analytics is pushing efficiency, quality and safety. The incorporation of automation, IoT, and other digital tools across the value chain, helps improve employee experience, reduce cycle time and increases learning and development capabilities. Internet penetration has enabled companies to connect with customers, including farmers in remote villages. Taking operations closer to the customers brings down logistical costs. Alongside digitalization, R&D geared towards developing cost-effective processes, regular launch of new products to address portfolio gaps, and affordable scale up of development will also help reduce costs. Agricultural biotechnology, through its solutions, can help the sector economically in the long run. The resistance it can offer to crops against pests, diseases, etc., while enabling their growth against varying conditions and in a more timely way, will result in steady yield. Biotechnology provides farmers the tools that can make cultivation cheaper and manageable, while keeping pace with demand for food. This demand-supply cycle would ultimately lead to cost-effective development of agri biotech products.Fluctuating costs of the raw materials, lack of awareness among the small-scale livestock growers and lack in required infrastructure facilities is hampering the market of agricultural biotechnology. How can this challenge be addressed?For a company actively pursuing a vision for agricultural biotechnology, having an approach led by R&D and innovation to address various challenges must be a priority. Globally, biotechnology is helping the livestock industry hasten breed development for improved animal health, enhanced reproduction, and better nutritional quality and safety of animal-derived food products. In India, however, many marginal livestock farmers are yet to implement biotechnology into their practices. Considering that farmers are integral to the industry, making them aware of the same is necessary. Hence, one must look at building trusting relationships with stakeholders, including farmers, to deliver on the goal of creating and sharing prosperity across the value chain. Frequent awareness drives, pre-season meetings, sales meetings, and product development trials must be held to increase connect with the farming community.Meanwhile, in order to handle fluctuating raw material costs, one may look at up-stocking of raw materials or develop alternative methods that create greater choice of raw materials to tackle supply and price volatility. In terms of improving infrastructure, suitable investments could be allocated towards setting up and updating R&D labs and manufacturing facilities. Increment in the production and breeding in transgenic crops owing to the rising demand for food. What are the other important factors that are bolstering the demand and application of agricultural biotechnology?Food demand is a major factor driving agricultural biotechnology, includ-ing the production and breeding of transgenic crops. However, agricul-tural biotechnology is also influenced by a future of sustainability. Amidst questions surrounding the efficacy of biotechnology in agriculture, it is im-portant to note that it can contribute
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