As the World Economic Forum (WEF) convenes global leaders in Davos to deliberate on interconnected challenges of food security, climate change and sustainability, nanotechnology has emerged as a powerful solution for boosting agricultural productivity while reducing environmental stress.
Drawing attention to the relevance of the discussions, nanotechnology scientist Ramesh Raliya highlighted how concepts proposed nearly a decade ago are now being adopted worldwide. Quoting from his social media post during the ongoing WEF meetings, Raliya said, “#WorldEconomicForum is in full swing to discuss global challenges & strategic solutions. Sharing our article on ‘how #nanotechnology can help grow more food’, published @wef. Idea we proposed here about 10 years back is now being implemented across the world. #Nanofertilizer.”
The WEF-published article underscores the growing role of nanotechnology, particularly nanofertilisers, in addressing the urgent need to produce more food using fewer resources. With agriculture facing mounting pressure from climate variability, soil degradation and rising input costs, experts believe nano-enabled solutions could reshape farming practices globally.
Nanofertilisers work at the molecular level, enabling controlled and targeted delivery of nutrients to crops. Unlike conventional fertilisers, which often suffer from nutrient losses due to runoff and evaporation, nanofertilisers enhance absorption efficiency, ensuring that plants receive nutrients precisely when and where they are needed. This not only improves crop yields but also reduces excessive chemical use that harms soil and water bodies.
Participants at Davos noted that indiscriminate application of traditional fertilisers has contributed to groundwater contamination, declining soil health and higher greenhouse gas emissions. Nano-based agricultural inputs, by contrast, offer a science-driven pathway toward sustainable intensification of agriculture.
Raliya noted that despite early skepticism around safety, regulation and scalability, nanotechnology in agriculture has steadily gained acceptance over the past decade. Several countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America have now incorporated nanofertilisers into pilot programmes and commercial farming, backed by government policy support and private sector investment.
Beyond fertilisers, nanotechnology applications showcased at Davos include nano-sensors for soil and crop monitoring, smart delivery systems for pesticides, and precision farming tools that help farmers optimise inputs based on real-time data.
As discussions continue at the World Economic Forum, the growing alignment between scientific innovation, policy frameworks and industry adoption suggests that nanotechnology may play a decisive role in ensuring global food security. The journey of nanofertilisers, from a research idea to worldwide implementation, reflects how long-term scientific vision can translate into scalable solutions for some of the world’s most pressing challenges.