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Farm Visit
Every step of an iGEM project requires considering the various stakeholders impacted by our work. We consulted with experts to gather their insights, visited sugarcane fields to know about all the issues faced by farmers, consolidated feedback from all our interactions, and applied these perspectives to shape our project as we progressed on this journey.
Understanding the loss that farmers face as a result of red rot disease
Our sugarcane field visits allowed the landowners and farmers to share their experiences with us, highlighting the extent of the problem. Red rot not only infects the crops but reduces the quality and weight of the sugarcane, directly impacting the income they derive from mill purchases. Though the mill still buys diseased sugarcane, the affected crops weigh much less, compounding the farmers' losses.
Speaking with the farmers, it became clear that while they are familiar
with the disease, they still feel helpless about it. In the end, what
they wish for most is a solution that could either detect the disease
earlier or provide a solid cure which is how our project can help.
Expert Consultation
Insights from Prof. Swapnil Shinde, IIT Bombay
As part of our iGEM team's efforts to refine our project, we consulted with Professor Swapnil Shinde from IIT Bombay. During our discussion, he provided valuable feedback that has been instrumental in guiding our next steps. One of his key recommendations was the inclusion of both positive and negative controls for the detection of the pathogen, which will ensure the accuracy and reliability of our results.
We also discussed our current solution pipeline in detail. Professor Shinde reviewed our approach and gave us the green light to proceed with our current procedures until we reach a conclusion. He was supportive of our methodology and his consultation has given us confidence in the direction we are taking. This interaction has reinforced the scientific integrity of our project.
Future hope and Perspective
Our iGEM project on detecting red rot disease holds significant promise for the future of agriculture. By developing a reliable detection method, we aim to empower farmers to manage this disease more effectively, ultimately reducing crop losses and promoting sustainable practices.
We envision collaborating with agricultural organizations and research institutions to implement our detection techniques in real-world settings. This project not only addresses an immediate need in plant pathology but also contributes to food security by minimizing the reliance on harmful pesticides. With the power of synthetic biology, we aspire to make a meaningful contribution to a resilient and sustainable agricultural landscape.
