India is mainly an agricultural country. Nearly three-fourths of its population is dependent directly on agriculture for a living. Therefore, any improvement in agriculture is intimately linked with the joy and happiness of the people of this country. Indian agriculture continues to face serious challenges from the ever-increasing population. Cultivation of high-yielding crop varieties responsive to fertilizers and irrigation and the intensive cropping systems pose the problem of weeds, insects, and pests causing tremendous losses to crop and their produce. Our economy is based on sustainable agriculture, particularly rainfed agriculture where vegetables occupy a predominant role to play in feeding humans, animals, and soil.
