Nanoscale innovations in agri-food systems: A multisectoral paradigm for eradicating global food scarcity

Abstract

Global food scarcity is one of the critical issues of the present time. Humans rely on four primary sources for food consumption: agriculture, aquaculture, poultry, and livestock. Nanotechnology, owing to its unique advantages, has brought about a breakthrough in the mentioned sources to address food security issues. In this study, the application of nanotechnology in agriculture, aquaculture, poultry, and livestock has been elaborately discussed. In agriculture, nanofertilizers, nanopesticides, and nanopriming have contributed significantly to improving crop production. Likewise, practices in aquaculture have been greatly eased by the introduction of nano-enhanced feed, nanovaccines, and nanofiltration. In poultry, essential aspects such as supplementing appropriate nutrients in specific quantities and disease prevention have become more manageable thanks to nanotechnology. In a similar manner, nanotechnology has led to colossal improvements in disease prevention, animal reproduction, and drug delivery in livestock. However, despite all these prospects, some challenges remain for the implementation of nanotechnology in the food production sector. The regulatory frameworks for the implementation of nanotechnology remain underdeveloped, consumer acceptance is a significant issue, and the environmental fate and ecotoxicity of nanotechnology remain uncertain. This comprehensive review article aims to provide in-depth insights into the current status, challenges, and prospects of nanotechnology in primary food sources, with the ultimate goal of addressing worldwide food scarcity.