Lifestyles of populations across the world have changed dramatically in the 20th century. These changes (collectively termed as epidemiological transition) have been brought about by a number of developments in science and technology that now affect every facet of human existence. Most human societies have moved from agrarian diets and active lives to fast foods and sedentary habits. Combined w...

By FLORENT OKRY†,‡, PAUL VAN MELE§, EDWIN NUIJTEN†, PAUL C. STRUIK¶ and ROCH L. MONGBO†† †Technology and Agrarian Development group, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, the Netherlands, §Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), 01 BP 2031 Cotonou, Benin, ¶Centre for Crop Systems Analysis, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK Wageningen, the Netherlands and ††Faculté des S...