Abstract

Ensuring food security for a fast growing global population estimated at 9.1 billion in 2050 and over 10 billion by the end of the twenty first century is a mammoth challenge for the present agricultural production system [1]. Shrinking average farm size in India and financial constraints for higher investment in agriculture due to 80% farm families belonging to small and marginal farmer categories further heighten the challenge. For anchoring nourishment and sustenance security for sizable populace, improvement in productivity may give a crucial solution. This involves the adoption of scientific agronomic practices and technologies which promise an augmentation of the productive capacity of traditional agricultural systems.