Genome-edited crops have the potential to strengthen food and nutritional security in the country. Examine.

FAO world food outlook has highlighted the growing importance of Genome edited crops since the past few years to counter food & nutritional insecurity. Significance in resolving Food & Nutritional Insecurity: (1) Increasing crop productivity - By High Shanmathan crops bred Resilient wheat with Dwarf variety during Green Revolution ii Reduce susceptibility to pest attacks by GM cotton resistant to pink bollworm iii Regulatory ambulance - no approval to GM modified Bengel iv May negatively affect environment Way forward: (1) Conduct long term field trials to assess impact (2) Increase farmer training & awareness ta Reduce caste Thus genome edited crops can enable food & nutritional security for achievement of SDG 2

iv Prequalification for nutritional security ta Gladden rice - Vitamin A v Climate resistant crops ta IAHRT's heat resistant wheat variety Challenges of Genome Edited Crops: (1) lead to creation of superbugs (2) Bollworm strengthened & roe affecting cotton (3) Regulatory ambulance - no approval to GM modified Bengel iv May negatively alter environment Way forward: (1) Conduct long term field trials to assess impact (2) Increase farmer training & awareness ta Reduce caste Thus genome edited crops can enable food & nutritional security for achievement of SDG 2