1. It gives higher yields
Higher and good quality yield is the aim of every farmer. We use fertilizer applications, pesticides, and herbicides to stimulate the growth of crops.
In genetic engineering, we can select the factor which affects plant growth and manipulate the DNA in such a way to have a high-yielding crop.
We can eliminate the factors which interrupt plant growth. Ultimately it will result in higher yields. And higher production means more profit for farmers.
Genetically modified plants thrive in diverse conditions which helps farmers to reduce the loss. The most successful genetically modified crops are soybean, cotton, and corn (maize) which proved valuable to farmers to increase yield and economic growth.
2. It allows you to develop specific traits of plants
Genetic engineering does more than you think. It not only creates healthy and fast-growing food but the technology also helps to create more attractive food products.
Scientists experiment to create different food colors by DNA manipulation. The development of specific traits in plants helps in various ways.
For example, plum is made virus resistant to plum pox virus, corn made insect-resistant specifically to European corn borers, vitamin enrichment of rich with the introduction of three genes for the manufacture of beta carotene which is a precursor of Vitamin A.
3. It can develop a disease-resistant variety
Plants are exposed to various pests and pathogens including fungi, viruses, bacteria, nematodes, oomycetes, and insects but only particular interaction results in causing disease.
A disease-resistant variety can benefit farmers from the tentative loss. A disease-resistant plant variety is developed by inserting a certain gene into the plant's genome that provides resistance against viruses, insects, fungi, and pathogens.
Genetic engineering facilitates control over genetic changes in organisms. We can introduce a new gene from one species into any other species regardless of their relation.
4. It helps to make agricultural practice much safer
To prevent crops from disease farmers use a heavy amount of pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides to maximize the crop yields.
Before the invention of pesticides and insecticides, farmers used to spend hours in the field to avoid threats to crops without any precautions.
With the help of technology and science, we aim to reduce the use of chemical pesticides because we can not eliminate them.
These help farmers for safe agricultural practices and also produce healthy soil and avoid contamination of groundwater at the same time.
5. It enhances the growth rate of crops
Agriculture utilizes photosynthesis to convert light energy, carbon dioxide, and water to produce food- so improving this process will naturally lead to an increase in how much food we produce.
"Photosynthesis is the most important biological process" and scientists have also improved it.
We should believe in the power of science. The genetic modification increased the amount of sunlight energy crop plants can conduct into food production.
An experiment conducted by scientists showed that tobacco plants increased 15% biomass production in natural field conditions.
Research believes it is a significant step towards enhancing crop production to feed the growing global population.
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