Foreword
Since the Neolithic Age, 10,000 years ago, agriculture has represented the main linkage of human beings with nature, and their principal source of food.
The growth of humankind since then has been made possible by the parallel development of agriculture through the continuous input of experience and, later, of science and technology.
At the present time, global agricultural output could be sufficient to cope with the needs of humankind if agricultural areas were equally distributed on the various continents; whereas in many countries hunger, malnutrition and even famine still exist. This is mainly the case in the poorer regions of the world, in particular in Africa and South America.
The Pontifical Academy of Sciences, following its traditional lines of action, such as the promotion of agricultural improvements and the solution of the problems facing developing countries, organized the Study Week on Agriculture and the Quality of Life in October 1988, with the participation of scientists and experts from all over the world.
The goal of the meeting was to analyze the relationship between agricultural progress and quality of life, particularly in the tropics, and to suggest solutions leading to more efficient systems of tropical agriculture and resource management, and a greater respect for the environment.
Carlos Chagas
President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, 1972-1988