Science and Shaping our Agricultural Future

The following sections are included:

• Introduction

• Food Availability, Access, Absorption and Threats to Food Security

  • Food availability

  • Food access

  • Food Absorption

  • Threats to food security

• Technological Transformation of Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability: Rice

• Increasing Production and Productivity

  • Bridging the yield gap

  • Defending the gains already achieved

  • Extending the gains

  • Making new gains

  • Small farm management

• Vital Areas for Sustainable Advances in Rice Productivity

  • Evergreen revolution

• Research Strategies and Priorities

  • Overcoming hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies

  • Breeding for nutritional quality

  • Genetic engineering approaches for correcting micronutrient deficiencies

  • Golden rice

  • Iron deficiency

• Technological Transformation of Productivity, Profitability and Sustainability: Wheat

  • Progress in yield improvement

  • Phase I (1900–1930): Early days of Mendelian genetics

  • Phase II (1930–1960): Enlarging the base of theory and its application

  • Phase III (1960–1980): The green revolution phase

  • Phase IV (1980–2000): Transition from Mendelian to molecular breeding

• Challenges Ahead

  • Equity

  • Ecology

  • Concerns relating to genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

  • Expansion of proprietary science

  • Climate change and safeguarding genetic diversity

• Sustaining and Strengthening Agricultural Progress

• Community Nutrition and Water Security System

• Fostering Job-Led Economic Growth

• Centre

• References