Solving Shortages Of Food And Water With Nanotechnology

How Nanotechnology Can Help Us Grow More Food Using Less Energy and Water

Ramesh Raliya and Pratim Biswas | May 29, 2016

With the world’s population expected to exceed nine billion by 2050, scientists are working to develop new ways to meet rising global demand for food, energy and water without increasing the strain on natural resources. Organizations including the World Bank and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization are calling for more innovation to address the links between these sectors, often referred to as the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus.
Nanotechnology – designing ultrasmall particles – is now emerging as a promising way to promote plant growth and development. This idea is part of the evolving science of precision agriculture, in which farmers use technology to target their use of water, fertilizer and other inputs. Precision farming makes agriculture more sustainable because it reduces waste.

"Nanotechnology in Food, Foodprocessing , Agriculture, Packaging and Consumption." Source: http://www.hkc22.com/nanofood2040.html 

<more at http://www.iflscience.com/technology/how-nanotechnology-can-help-us-grow-more-food-using-less-energy-and-water; related articles and links: https://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/04/06/as-food-shortage-worsens-zimbabwe-refuses-gmo-food-aid-has-to-import-food-from-afar/ (As food shortage worsens, Zimbabwe refuses GMO food aid, has to import food from afar. April 6, 2016) and http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fenvs.2016.00020/full (Nanotechnology in Agriculture: Which Innovation Potential Does It Have? Leonardo F. Fraceto, Renato Grillo, Gerson A. de Medeiros, Viviana Scognamiglio, Giuseppina Rea and Cecilia Bartolucci. Frontiers in Environmental Science, March 22 2016. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2016.00020. [Summary: Recent scientific data indicate that nanotechnology has the potential to positively impact the agrifood sector, minimizing adverse problems of agricultural practices on environment and human health, improving food security and productivity (as required by the predicted rise in global population), while promoting social and economic equity. In this context, we select and report on recent trends in nanomaterial-based systems and nanodevices that could provide benefits on the food supply chain specifically on sustainable intensification, and management of soil and waste. Among others, nanomaterials for controlled-release of nutrients, pesticides and fertilizers in crops are described as well as nanosensors for agricultural practices, food quality and safety.]) >