Agriculture depends on improved cultivars, and cultivars are developed through proper plant breeding. Unfortunately, applied plant breeding programs that are focused on cereal commodity crops are under serious erosion because of lack of funding. This loss of public support affects breeding continuity, objectivity, and, perhaps equally important, the training of future plant breeders and the utilization and improvement of plant genetic resources currently available. Breeding programs should focus not only on short-term research goals but also on long-term genetic improvement of germplasm. The research products of breeding programs are important not only for food security but also for commodity-oriented public and private programs, especially in the fringes of crop production. Breeding strategies used for long-term selection are often neglected but the reality is that long-term research is needed for the success of short-term products. An excellent example is that genetically broad-based public germplasm has significantly been utilized and recycled by industry, producing billions of dollars for industry and farmers before intellectual property rights were available. Successful examples of breeding continuity have served the sustainable cereal crop production that we currently have. The fact that farmers rely on public and private breeding institutions for solving long-term challenges should influence policy makers to reverse this trend of reduced funding. Joint cooperation between industry and public institutions would be a good example to follow. The objective of this volume is to increase the utilization of useful genetic resources and increase awareness of the relative value and impact of plant breeding and biotechnology. That should lead to a more sustainable crop production and ultimately food security. Applied plant breeding will continue to be the foundation to which molecular markers are applied. Focusing useful molecular techniques on the right traits will build a strong linkage between genomics and plant breeding and lead to new and better cultivars. Therefore, more than ever there is a need for better communication and cooperation among scientists in the plant breeding and biotechnology areas. We have an opportunity to greatly enhance agricultural production by applying the results of this research to meet the growing demands for food security and environmental conservation. Ensuring strong applied plant breeding programs with successful application of molecular markers will be essential in ensuring such sustainable use of plant genetic resources.

First Published in 2008. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Developing Sustainable and Health Promoting Cereals and Pseudocereals: Conventional and Molecular Breeding reviews the most recent developments in the fields of cereal and pseudocereal breeding, with particular emphasis on the latest biotechnological techniques likely to lead to breakthrough changes in plant breeding. The book provides comprehensive information on the use of genetic resources or pre-breeding activities to improve health-related properties of cereals and pseudocereals. The text also explores targeted field-management practices and the latest in biotechnological methodologies, and offers a cohesive overview necessary for understanding the potential impacts and benefits of improved production of cereals and pseudocereals with high-nutritional value. - Includes coverage of cereals and pseudocereals in a single comprehensive volume - Focuses on sustainable circular economy, including assurance of food safety, quality, and health benefits - Examines breeding to attain robust cereal and pseudocereals with higher nutritional value and adapted to specific regions, climate change, and global warming

Providing critical insights into the two vital sectors of the Indian economy--agriculture and industry--this unique reference features contributions from noted economists and economic researchers. This guide to India's growing economy since independence features topics ranging from agricultural performance and crop insurance to industrial policy and trade liberalization. A comprehensive coverage of the issues, this remarkable study will interest students and economists alike.

This bulletin reviews the fermentation of cereals to produce alcoholic beverages, vinegar, breads and porridges in the various regions of the world. It documents information on traditional fermentation technologies, and on potential areas for the development and improvement of small-scale food fermentations in the developing world.

This book presents a comprehensive overview and assessment of China's agricultural policies combined with OECD estimates of the level of support provided to the Chinese farm sector.