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The document noted that as the world’s population
continues its growth, countries everywhere need
to produce larger crop yields on the same amount
of space—assuming that the amount of fertile
farmland remains unchanged —while also ensuring
environmental sustainability.
In North America, the concept of urban sprawl has
seen viable farmland swallowed up by the next
generation of suburbia. Government shortsightedness
hamstrings the national promise to provide more food
to feed those unable to do so themselves.
However, the concept of nanotechnology in agriculture
could result in better manipulation of processes to
create more with less input.
The foundation’s report said that nanotechnology—the
manipulation of matter at the microscopic nanoscale
level—is a powerful tool to better address global food
security issues.
The whitepaper examines multiple ways that
nanotechnology is currently impacting sustainable
agriculture, such as through precision agriculture,
smart delivery systems for agrochemicals, disease
detection, and food preservation.
It noted that by using nanosensors and nanomaterials,
farmers can optimize their crop yields, reduce
product waste, and minimize environmental impact
while promoting safer and more efficient agricultural
practices.
Dr. Peng Zhang
, a Senior Research Fellow at the
University of Birmingham
(UK), explained that
“Integrating AI and nanotechnology into precision
agriculture will play a vital role in probing the design
parameters of nanomaterials for use in fertilizer and
pesticide delivery to ensure minimal impacts on soil
health coupled with minimal nanomaterial residues
remaining in the edible tissue portions—helping
to ensure safe and sustainable agriculture.”The
whitepaper prepared by the World Nano Foundation
offers insight into the pioneering work of such
renowned research institutions as
Aberystwyth
University
(Wales, UK), the
University of California,
Davis
(USA), the
National Institute of Agricultural
Technology
(Hurlingham, Argentina), and the
Indian
Institute of Technology, Delhi
(India).
These four institutes are considered to be at the
forefront of developing and applying nanotechnology
to enhance crop protection, nutrient uptake, and
precision agriculture.