Food grain production in India increased from 50 million tonnes in 1947 to about 200 million tonnes in 1997-1998. The Green Revolution that quadrupled the production was ushered in by use of an improved seed-irrigation-chernicals package that increased food production at a rate faster than that of the population growth. Despite these impressive gains, however, the need for food production will be even more pressing during the first half of the 21st century than ever before. Expected food grain production by the year 2025 is 300 million tonnes, which will require 30 to 35 million tonnes of N-P-K fertilizer. In addition to socioeconomic and political factors, there are several biophysical constraints to achieving these targets. The per capita land area is progressively declining and will be 0.087 ha by the time the population stabilizes in the latter half of the 21st century. Soil degradation by erosion, salinization, and fertility depletion is a major constraint. Groundwater resources are excessively exploited, and surface and groundwaters are heavily polluted. In addition to introducing improved varieties, there is an urgent need to develop strategies of integrated management of natural resources, and soil and ecosystem restoration. Emphasis needs to be given to marginal areas of low and uncertain rainfall. There is also an urgent need to develop a new management paradigm of scientific research. In addition to creating congenial atmosphere, the management should be open, fair, flexible, and decentralized. Rewarding excellence and merit is key to improving scientific quality.
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