1 ICAR Research Complex for Eastern Region Patna- 800 014 (Bihar) *Corresponding Author E-mail : anil.icarpat@gmail.com ISSN : 2348-8808 (Print ), 2348-8867 (Online) Journal of AgriSearch 1(2): 55-65 Agrotechnological Options for Upscaling Agricultural Productivity in Eastern Indo Gangetic Plains under Impending Climate Change Situations: A Review SS SINGH, AK SINGH 1* AND PK SUNDARAM 1 Indian Institute of Pluse Research, Kalyanpur, Kanpur (U.P.) ABSTRACT This review article scrutiniz some of the vibrant technologies developed/ refined/ adopted to improve agricultural system productivity in the Eastern Indo Gangetic plains. Efficient agronomic research and technological development for improving agricultural productivity in eastern region are the only options to feed our people under this difficult situation. These tested and refined technologies are not only capable of improving productivity in a sustainable manner but are equally efficient in minimizing the outbreak of insects and disease pests. Important agro- technology developed and refined for Eastern Region conditions are briefly discussed in this article. Keywords : Agro technology, Contingency Agronomy, Crop Diversification, Conservation Agriculture, Eastern Indo Gangetic Plains INTRODUCTION Eastern Indo Gangetic Plains is currently facing problem of feeding ever-increasing population under the climate change scenario. IPCC projected minimum 1.8 °C increase in temperature by 2100 above 1990 level and confirmed that the global average temperature increased by 0.74 °C over the last century, which is likely to pose a potential threat to agricultural production and productivity and affects the crop yields due to incidence of plant diseases and weeds, pests as well. There is very good chances of decrease in rice yield up to 5 per cent for every 1 °C rise in temperature above 32 °C (IPCC, 2007). System approach is also an efficient and excellent tool for effective disease pest management in general and especially for soil borne pathogens, under changing climate scenario (Ali et al., 2012 and Singh et al., 2011). A number of agro- technology has been developed by ICAR Research Complex for improving agricultural system productivity. The Eastern Indo Gangetic Plains comprises of Eastern UP, Bihar, West Bengal, and plain parts of Assam (Annonymus, 2001-2011). There is a large gap between potential and productivity of major crops (Bastia et al., 2008 and Singh et al., 2012a). A sizeable part of the cultivated area in eastern region does not have provision for assured irrigation; therefore, even short drought spells adversely affect the stability of agricultural production. The region suffers from various biophysical constraints such as water congestion and flooding during kharif (Singh et al., 2012b). The region is characterized by socio- economic constraints like small and fragmented farm holdings, lowest per capita availability of land, inequitable agrarian structure, resource poor farmers, and poor infrastructure facilities like roads, communication power supply, storage and marketing (Joshi, 1998 and Singh et al, 2011). The characteristic feature mentioned all together lead to poor system productivity of agricultural as a whole including crop production. Further nutrient use efficiency is also low except nitrogen (40-45 %), other are much lower in the range (< 20%) (Ali et al., 2012 and Singh and Kumar, 2009). Global warming poses a potential threat to agricultural production and productivity throughout the world and this might affect the crop yield, if suitable measures are not taken, crop ARTICLE INFO Received on : 23.02.2014 Revised received on : 15.04.2014 Accepted on : 27.04.2014 Published online : 03.06.2014