In which area does agricultural biotechnology primarily operate?

Agricultural biotechnology primarily focuses on crop yield improvement. This field utilizes various biotechnological techniques, such as genetic engineering, molecular markers, and tissue culture, to enhance the productivity and resilience of crops. By manipulating genetic material, scientists can develop plants that are more resistant to pests, diseases, and adverse environmental conditions, ultimately leading to higher yields and sustainable agricultural practices. This area is crucial as the global demand for food continues to rise, and agricultural biotechnology offers innovative solutions to meet these challenges effectively.

While food safety and quality, therapeutic drug development, and environmental conservation are important aspects of biotechnology, they are not the core focus of agricultural biotechnology. Instead, they fall under the broader umbrella of biotechnology applications across various sectors. Thus, crop yield improvement is the defining characteristic of agricultural biotechnology.