Crop and livestock production systems are the basis of the rural economies of humid and
sub-humid tropical regions. However, tropical ecosystems are suffering the consequences
of an accelerated deterioration in its ecological capital and most agriculture production
systems of the region show high degree of environmental degradation, as indicated by
declines in soil fertility, vegetation cover, biodiversity loss and increases in soil erosion.
The underlying causes of environmental degradation in tropical ecosystems include the
poor understanding of agroecosystems dynamics and carrying capacities which lead to
developing of unsustainable production systems. It is also recognized that in recent years
the region is facing stagnant yields, and that the growth taking place in some of the major
agricultural products of the region is being done at the expense of the natural resource base.