ManchikatLa Rajam wrote this scientific article in the Journal of BioSciences and examines RNA silencing technology and its potential uses in crop improvement. The article highlights the advantages of RNA interference (RNAi) for developing pest-resistant crops, improving crop quality, and reducing crop losses due to various stresses. The article also discusses the concerns surrounding off-target effects of RNAi technology and the need for risk assessment of transgenic RNAi plants. Finally, the article explores the potential of environmental RNAi, where exogenous dsRNA is used as a spray for pest control, as a non-transgenic alternative.