The Role of Transgenic Plants in Ensuring Food Security: A Review

Abstract

Food security means ensuring that all people have sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to live healthy lives, and it remains one of the greatest global challenges. Transgenic plants, as a modern agricultural tool, offer significant potential to address this issue. This review evaluates their role in improving food security, with emphasis on Afghanistan. The analysis is based on scientific books, polished peer-reviewed journals, and national and international research. Findings show that transgenic plants, with traits such as pest and disease resistance, tolerance to drought and salinity, and improved nutritional quality, can substantially increase yields. In Afghanistan, where agriculture is central to the economy yet highly vulnerable to climate change, water scarcity, and low productivity, these crops could enhance food self-sufficiency, reduce imports, and strengthen rural livelihoods. Their use may also reduce pesticide and fertilizer reliance, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.