BRIDGING THE YIELD GAP

摘要

INDIA WITNESSED A REMARKABLE growth on agricultural front particularly during 1970s and 80s which enabled the country to become self-sufficient in foodgrain production.The growth in foodgrain production started slowing down during 1990s and presently,has come below the population growth rate.Besides,oilseeds and pulses,the country has started import of wheat from the last two years.The stagnation/continuous decline in growth rate in foodgrain production is posing a threat to our national food security.The situation is likely to aggravate in future as the country would require a foodgrain production of about 300 million tonnes by 2025 to meet the domestic demand.It may be mentioned here that the increase in production will have to come from the shrinking land and water resources.The country is now left with no other option but to bring improvement in crop productivity to meet the increasing food demand of ever-growing population.