FOREWORD

The nexus between population, food demand and ecological degradation is a matter of critical concern for the country. The Indian Council of agricultural Research (IC-AR) is keen to understand this phenomena and respond to it. It is often argued that by treating population as important resource, the twin objective of food security and providing clean environment could be accomplished simultaneously.

The national seminar on Food, population and environment strategies for sustainable Indian agriculture has debated the issues, several of which were ignored in the past. In particular, the issues of appropriate technology, socio economic constraints and policy interventions are identified as important determinants of this complex equation.

The proceeding presents the salient features of the outcome of the discussion, which is expected to generate further interest and research on the subject.

We hope the audience will find it useful. We solicit your comments.

December 1998

Dayanatha Jha

New Delhi

Director, NCAP