Biotechnology for Arid Land- Perspectives for the next Millennium

Thar region of Rajasthan, with its varied characteristics in culture, economies, the environment, governance and religion, is home to semi-urban and urban agriculture that seems to have originated in the Fertile Crescent of the homeland of the first farmers. Arid lands and deserts make up a large part of Rajasthan. Two-thirds of the state is desert or dry-lands. Half the state’s population is found in these areas. Agriculture in several arid developing countries is linked to water availability and security. Vulnerability of agricultural and water resources, ecosystems, food production, utility goods, shelter and human health is high in regions with weak infrastructures. The containment of desertification in arid lands occurs in the ability to bioconvert their ecological disadvantages in to economic benefits coming from the cultivation of desert crops; development of saline agriculture and aquaculture and the rational use of water, wastewater and other water resources. Dry agriculture or the growth of salt-tolerant crops on land and of a variety of halophytic crops -grasses, shrubs and trees encountered in area is full of promise. Of economic importance in agriculture, halophytes are cultured for landscaping and use as fodder; as ornamentals; and for greening and landscaping arid soils. Against this background, the use of GM technology could make a beneficial impact through the use of improved seeds and disease-free high-quality plantlets to grow high-value commercial crops in low-rainfall areas. In addition, rural education could help promote the benefits of such technology in diversifying complementary agricultural practices such as fisheries, floriculture and growing medicinal plants.