Agricultural Nanotechnologies: What are the current possibilities?

Parisi, Claudia, Vigani, Mauro ORCID: 0000-0003-2442-7976 and Rodríguez-Cerezo, Emilio (2015) Agricultural Nanotechnologies: What are the current possibilities? Nano Today, 10 (2). pp. 124-127. doi:10.1016/j.nantod.2014.09.009

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Abstract

Nanotechnology is recognised by the European Commission as one of its six "Key Enabling Technologies" that contribute to sustainable competitiveness and growth in several industrial sectors. The current challenges of sustainability, food security and climate change are engaging researchers in exploring the field of nanotechnology as new source of key improvements for the agricultural sector. However, concrete contributions are still uncertain. Despite the numerous potential advantages of nanotechnology and the growing trends in publications and patents, agricultural applications have not yet made it to the market. Several factors could explain the scarcity of commercial applications. On the one hand, industry experts stress that agricultural nanotechnology does not demonstrate a sufficient economic return to counterbalance the high initial production investments. On the other hand, new nanotech regulation in the EU might create regulatory uncertainty for products already on the market and affect public perception. However, recent studies demonstrate that public opinion is not negative towards nanotechnology and that the introduction on the market of nanotech products with clear benefits will likely drive consumer acceptance of more sensitive applications. The rapid progress of nanotechnology in other key industries may over time be transferred to agricultural applications as well, and facilitate their development.

Item Type: Article
Article Type: Article
Additional Information: Available online on 25 October 2014
Uncontrolled Keywords: Agricultural nontechnology
Subjects: S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions: Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Research Priority Areas: Place, Environment and Community
Depositing User: Susan Turner
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2015 12:54
Last Modified: 04 Feb 2022 08:16
URI: https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/2849

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