"After a period of about three decades, in which agriculture and rural development in many countries of the Global South were neglected by development politics, a notable change is taking place during the last ten years. From the point of real development it is not acceptable to measure success in terms of an increase in agricultural production and a narrowly defied economic benefit only. In contrast, the improvement of the local food security, poverty reduction in rural areas, an increase in income on a broad level and an ecological sustainability are the parameters to measure real success in development. It is also important to include cultural aspects of agricultural production, food preparation and nutrition." - Professor Dr. Hartmut Vogtmann