based on this analysis we propose a new paradigm for enhancing agricultural productivity per unit area through the introduction of more adaptable crops with a holistic management approach we outline an integrated genetic natural resource management ignrm strategy based on handson experiences in india for harnessing the untapped potential of rainfed paddy fallow areas to increase food production and improve the livelihoods of people with finite and scarce resources by enhancing resourceuse efficiency approximately million ha or percent of southeast asias cropland is planted to paddy in irrigated million ha rainfed million ha and other cropping systems see table south asia accounts for percent of the worlds harvested paddy area usda which supplies almost percent of the worlds population fao