University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

Modern science and industrialization brought innumerable benefits to the mankind. In fact the industrial revolution during 18th century catapulted the world's economy. But is also caused certain side effects with an unprecedented upsurge in the population owing to enhanced life span of the people. Consequently the demand to produce more food began and continues to the bane even today. World's population has increased from2.5 bilion to 6 billion in thelast 50 years and likely to furtherincrease to 9 bilion by 2050. The food and agricultual organization (FAO) foresees that feeding a population of 9 billion people in 2050 requiewa an increase in total food production of around 70 per cent. With populations still growing in many developingcountries, some 370 million persons are likely to remain chronically underfed. Most of these increases occur in low income countries of South Asia and sub-saharan africa where poverty and hunger are widespread. Agriculture nonetheless has a pivotal role in reducing hunger and poverty. More than 70 cent of the poor live in rural areas and many of them rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, prime agricultural land is diverted to non-agricultural uses to meet the growing demands from housing, urbanization and industrialization. Therefore, there is a desperate need to produce more food from less land and reduced inputs.