Prospects and promise of wheat breeding in the 21(st) century

Globally speaking, the world would require one billion metric tons of wheat in the year 2020 as compared to the current production of 600 million metr ic tons. These figures, when translated into productivity parameters, mean that the current wheat global average yield of 2.5 t/ha. must shift to roug hly 4 t/ha, in the 2020. Can this be achieved? Optimistically speaking, thi s projection can be met provided there is continuous support and investment in agricultural science and research, especially in conventional plant bre eding, integrated pest management including soil health, improved seed mult iplication and distribution, system, optimum and efficient use of inputs. F urthermore, mechanization of farming systems and supporting pricing policie s to farmers are necessary for continuing production increases. I believe t hat, an invigorated research program on redesigning of wheat plant, discove ry and assembly of hybrid vigour, efficient management of water and drought , genetically superior system of uptake and translocation of nutrients, sui table germplasm adapted to conservation tillage practices, durable and mult iple disease resistance in wheat and transgenics would insure a superior ge rmplasm base from which future cultivars with high and stable yield potenti al would be made available to the farmers. Germplasm and genetic resources would remain paramount. However, every precaution is warranted to preserve the natural resource base and soil nutrient balance, so that the future agr icultural system is guaranteed with minimum hazard to environment.