The agricultural sector is confronted with the major challenge
of increasing production to feed a growing and increasingly
prosperous population in a situation of decreasing availability of
natural resources. Factors of particular concern are water
shortages, declining soil fertility, effects of climate change and
rapid decrease of fertile agricultural lands due to urbanisation.
However, the growing demand, including for higher quality
products, also offers opportunities for improving the livelihoods
of rural communities. Realising these opportunities requires
compliance with more stringent quality standards and
regulations for the production and handling of agricultural
produce. New approaches and technical innovations are
required to cope with these challenges and to enhance the
livelihoods of the rural population