ASSIGNMENT #1

Role of food biotechnology in Pakistan

SUBMITTED BY: AYESHA KHAN

REGISTRATION # FA19-FSN-056
PROGRAM: BS (FSN)
SECTION: B
SEMESTER: 4th
SUBMITTED TO: SIR TALHA YOUNAS
SUBJECT: FOOD FERMENTATION AND
BIOTECHNOLOGY
DATE: 9-03-2021
What is food biotechnology?

Food biotechnology can be defined as using technology to modify the genes of food
sources (plants, animals and micro-organisms) to either increase the nutritional value of the
food, to increase the resistance to diseases, to increase the shelf life or to lower the cost of
production of food.

Role of food biotechnology in Pakistan:

In order to compete with this advanced world, Pakistan has started using the
biotechnology in its food sector too. Many products are being produced and are available
for the consumer’s use in Pakistan that is actually the result of food biotechnology. The food
basically depends upon the agriculture sector; hence the use of biotechnology in the
agriculture ultimately means the use of biotechnology for food.

The transgenic wheat seeds were first prepared by the FCC students by using the
food biotechnology. The modifications were made and the purpose was the increased
bioavailability of zinc and iron through wheat. Food biotechnology is used for various
purposes. These technologies helps in the production of more food over the less land which
means the less use of resources, reduced water usage for those crops and less use of
pesticides as well. Biotechnology is being used for the safe production of crops by making
them less prone to diseases and certain viruses hence less loss of food due o diseases. By
the help of biotechnology we can lessen the impact of adverse climatic conditions.

Food biotechnology is also being used to decrease the food insecurity. More food is
being produced for the increasing population of the country. Biotechnology is widely used
for modifying the food sources. Sources of meat and poultry are being modified. They are
able to produce more meat and chicken. Hens are being modified to get more eggs to meet
the consumer’s demand.

In order to meet the increasing demand of milk, biotechnology is being applied to

the cows and buffaloes to produce the specific species having more milk production. These
breeds can be economical and the yield can be higher than the local breeds which mean
more profit to the farmers too.
 The action of yeast and other techniques used for the production of food is also
studied under biotechnology. Biotechnology is helping in more yield of product by modifying
the certain genes and enzymes. The production rate of many crops has increased due to the
use of biotechnology including rice, cotton and wheat etc.

Food biotechnology is being used in many of the brewing industries and bakeries as
well which results in the increased production of the desired product with less usage of
resources and more profit to the producers as well. These products produced have more
nutritional values, longer shelf lives and are more beneficial than the ordinary products
being consumed all over the country.

Pakistan can increase its agricultural production and food production by the proper
use of food biotechnology and can reduce its poverty rate and food insecurity rates by
increasing production of food with required nutritional statuses.