The present invention provides to a method for enhancing the productivity of a plant by genetically modifying the genome of the plant to over-express at least one autophagy-related (ATG) protein selected from the group consisting of ATG5 and ATG7. The invention further provides a genetically modified plant characterized by over-expression of least one autophagy related (ATG) protein selected from the group consisting of ATG5 and ATG7.Additionally the use of a transgene encoding atleast one autophagy related (ATG) protein selected from the group consisting of ATG5 and ATG7for enhancing the productivity of a plantis disclosed.
