Importance of Plant

Biotechnology in Nepalese
Agriculture
PREPARED BY:- ARUNA THAPA

ROLL NO:- 08
 INTRODUCTION 1
 Biotechnology is emerging in field of science, it must be the reason
from our semester we get chance to read about it through
genetics, Biotechnology in its simple terms is the technology that
derives its product of biology.
 Biotechnology can be defined as broad experimental science in
which biological components i.e. living systems, organisms, cells
and cellular processes materialized with human knowledge and
skills to develop new technologies.
 STATUS 2
 Biotechnology has been brought up in Nepal in 2003. Nepal has
almost surpassed the theoretical knowledge about biotechnology
but practically it is backward, we can rarely find in practical
laboratories which are basic for biotechnology as it is experimental
discipline. The reason behind it may be costs associated with
running the infrastructure which is quite high, depending on the
equipment used and their usage.
 Government entities like Nepal Academy of Science (NAST), Nepal
Agriculture Research Unit (NARC), Central Veterinary Lab (CVL),
Department of Plant Research (DPR) are involved in biotechnology
research in the country.
 STATUS 3
 National Herbarium and Plant Research Laboratory was the first
biotechnological laboratory of Nepal for plant tissue culture
established in 1976 which deals with clonal propagation of
hardwood trees, medicinal plants, ornamental plants and many
more. 
 Research Laboratory for Agricultural Biotechnology and
Biochemistry (RLABB) is another lab but established from the
private sector in 1986. This lab has developed many biochemical
techniques to create cold tolerant rice plant, and deals with micro
propagation and anther culture. Anther culture of rice was
developed for the first time in Nepal by RLABB. 
 IMPORTANCE 4
 Nepal is rich in natural resources many plants are unidentified, their
uses are unidentified in such condition, the beam of biotechnology
practice can ignite its importance through different biotech tools
like recombinant DNA technology, cell and tissue culture,
monoclonal antibody technology, biosensor, antisense, bio
processing and protein engineering technology. 
 In Agriculture field, through the means of different biotechnology
tools, the development of good quality crop, newer variety of crop
yield, increases the variety of crop yield, we can identify the
resistant gene and with manipulation of gene prepare the pesticide
resistant gene and insert in plants, transgenic plant production,
 IMPORTANCE 5
 Increase in Crop Production
With better disease control and increased tolerance to drought and
flooding, biotechnology leads to a significant increase in crop production.
This does not just match the ever-growing demand for food but also helps
farmers to lower losses.
 Virus Resistance

Many plants are susceptible to diseases caused by viruses, which are

often spread by insects (such as aphids) from plant to plant across a field.
it can be very difficult to control and crop damage can be severe.
Insecticides often have little impact on the spread of the disease.
Scientists have discovered new genetic engineering methods that provide
resistance to viral disease.
 IMPORTANCE 6
 Increase in Nutrition Value
It has also enabled farmers to produce crops with a higher nutritional
value and enhanced flavour and texture. For instance, the technology has
made it possible to cultivate soybeans with high protein content, beans
with more amino acids and potatoes with starch.
 Fresher Produce and Better Taste
It further helps to improve the taste and flavour of crops by enhancing the
activity of enzymes present in plants. Also, it helps in keeping the yield
fresh for longer
 IMPORTANCE 7
 Chemical Tolerance

Most farmers rely on herbicides to control the growth of weed which

often leads to soil erosion. However, genetically engineered food is
resistant to a variety of chemicals, including herbicides; as a result, the
scale of soil erosion is significantly low.
 Delayed Fruit Ripening
Delaying the ripening process in fruit is of interest to producers because it
allows more time for shipment of fruit from the farmer’s fields to the
market and increases the shelf life of the fruit for consumers
 IMPORTANCE 8

 Disease Resistance
Use of insecticides tend to pose a threat to both soil and quality of
produce. Nonetheless, genetically modified plants are less susceptible to
viral infection and make it easier for farmers to contain crop damage.