Biotechnology and urban agriculture: A partnership for the future sustainability

Abstract

The global population is growing rapidly, and with it, the demand for food. In the coming decades, more and more people will be living in urban areas, where land for traditional agriculture is scarce. Urban agriculture can help to meet this growing demand for food in a sustainable way. Urban agriculture is the practice of growing food in urban areas. It can be done on rooftops, balconies, vacant lots, and even in alleyways. Urban agriculture can produce a variety of crops, including fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It can also help to improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and create jobs. Biotechnology can be used to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban agriculture. Biotechnological tools can be used to develop crops that are resistant to pests and diseases, that are more tolerant of drought and heat, and that have higher yields. Biotechnology can also be used to improve the nutritional value of crops. This review article discusses the need for and importance of urban agriculture, biotechnology, and genome editing in meeting the growing demand for food in urban areas. It also discusses the potential of biotechnology to improve the sustainability of urban agriculture. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.