"Agricultural development within the rural-urban continuum” By Prof. Dr. F. Asch; for Organizing committee, Prof. Dr. S. Dabbert, President, University of Hohenheim ”According to projections of the UN, 70% of the global population will be living in urban areas by 2050” ”on this basis, Prof. Dr. F. Asch, officiated and welcomed the over 800 participants, and at the same time thanked the main sponsors of Tropentag conference. Introducing this year Tropentag theme dubbed”Agricultural Development within the rural-urban continuum” Prof. Asch reaffirmed that the selection of this topic has developed and built up through the previous year’s topics. With this year’s theme focusing on creating a balance in support systems and agricultural sustainability within the urban set up, several renowned keynote speakers, over 100 oral presentations and about 350 posters presentation are participating to address these issues. Additionally, this year, Carrot City exhibition together with Mini Film festival on urban and peri-urban agriculture are also bringing in great contribution to this topic. He further went ahead to introduce Prof. Dr. S. Dabbert, President, University of Hohenheim who gave the welcome address speech. In his speech, Prof. Dr. S. Dabbert, took the participant back into the history of the Hohenheim University, which started as a result of world famine trigged by a global Climate change in 1815 due to the eruption of the Indonesian volcano Mount Tambora. The then Agricultural College, founded in 1818 in Hohenhein, was targeted to address Nutrition and Food security issues. In 1999, Tropen centre started as a media for the interaction and exchange of scientific research work dealing with Food security and use of biological resources. This centre is currently having over 100 active members and 10 Professors, and this year Tropen-center celebrated its 30th anniversary. Over the years, the centre which started as a small group of European scientist, has grown internationally with this year attracting over 800 participants. Prof. Dr.S.Dabbert, thanked the main sponsors of the Foundation of the Food Security Centre- DAAD and BMZ, and at the same time the international network whom he referred to as the most important supporter of the foundation. With his final remarks, Tropentag 2013 was officially OPENED.