India's population is likely to reach 1.7 billion by 2050, and the current rate of food production will meet only 59% of the country's food demand at that time. This can be made possible by plant breeding and animal husbandry. Plant breeding is the art of developing economically important plants with superior quality. Animal husbandry involves the breeding of animals to improve their genotypes for the welfare of mankind.
1. Modern Agriculture and the Green Revolution
The aim of crop improvement is to develop improved crop varieties possessing higher yield, better quality, resistance to diseases and shorter duration.
Green Revolution is the process of increasing food production through high yielding crop varieties and modern agricultural techniques in underdeveloped and developing nations.
| Person | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Dr. Norman E. Borlaug | American agronomist; "Father of the Green Revolution"; received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 |
| Dr. M. S. Swaminathan (Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan) | Joined Dr. Borlaug in bringing the Green Revolution to India by introducing Mexican wheat varieties; wheat production rose from twelve million tonnes in the 1960s to seventy million tonnes now; called the "Father of Indian Green Revolution" |
| Dr. G. Nammalvar (1938-2013) | Tamil agricultural scientist, environmental activist and organic farming expert; founded the Nammalvar Ecological Foundation for Farm Research and Global Food Security Trust (NEFFFRGFST-Vanagam) |