Vol. 9, Special Issue 4, Part I (2025)

Biotechnology, a field that has sparked intense debate, encompasses a wide range of technologies, from low-end practices like vermi-composting to advanced tools such as genetic engineering (GE). Often, biotechnology is synonymous with genetic modification (GM), yet its scope also includes Marker-Assisted Selection (MAS) and various applications at the molecular level. The industrial applications of biotechnology span healthcare, agriculture, non-food industrial products, and environmental sustainability. In agriculture, GM crops, particularly GM cotton, have seen rapid adoption, but gaps remain in farmers’ understanding of biotechnology’s economic, bio-safety, and intellectual property implications. This knowledge gap necessitates better communication and information-sharing mechanisms among stakeholders, especially at the farmer level. In India, where agriculture is crucial, the government has acknowledged the need for improved information dissemination about biotechnology. Extension services, which play a key role in educating farmers, need to be strengthened to effectively communicate the benefits and risks of new biotechnologies. India’s well-established public and private extension network addressing farmers’ concerns and enhancing their understanding of biotechnology. These networks not only provide objective, science-based information but also act as conduits between researchers and farmers, ensuring that technological advancements align with real-world agricultural needs. However, biotechnology’s potential to positively impact farming depends on managing ethical, environmental, and social concerns, requiring extension systems to maintain credibility and build trust in new technologies. Successful integration of biotechnology will ultimately depend on its ability to balance benefits and minimize risks.