Abstract

The maximisation of crop production is an all-important problem throughout the world. The prosperity and well-being of people depends on how we solve this problem. The production from land is conditioned by the operation of a number of limiting factors. As those limiting factors are overcome one after the other production goes up gradually. Agricultural scientists met in New Delhi from 6th to 9th April 1949 and tried to assess the depression caused by various limiting factors. It was then held that production could be increased (1) by 0.6% by reclaiming new lands for cultivation, (2) by 10% by using improved strains of seeds all over, (3) by about 20% when the major river valley projects reach completion, (4) by about 10% by controlling pests and diseases in the field and by another 10% by controlling pests of stored produce and (5) by 30% by resorting to timely and adequate cultivation of land and crops. That there are possibilities of increasing production is indeed heartening. The existing overall shortage of food is only 10% and given the will this shortage could be made up by a proper approach. It should also serve as a signpost for the cultivators. Increases in production at various levels have been shown to be possible in different directions. The most outstanding and substantial increase can be brought about by appropriate cultivation at the proper time and this also happens to be the easiest to adopt by the cultivators without assistance from others.

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