This book is divided into two parts. The ?rst part of the book presents, in a very
simple way and starting with the fundamental principles, how complex interactions
among the interacting forces can be modelled by capturing their cause–effect
interrelations through dynamic models, how the models can be simulated and
evaluated to depict reality and how policy interventions can be tested for testing
their viability. Although the material covered in this part of the book is not new, the
examples supporting the theoretical nuances of the subject covering population
growth, grain storage, food security, commodity production, food relief, crop livestock,
shrimp farming, crop irrigation and pollution are very interesting and appealing.
In the second part of the book, the authors discuss case studies related to the
areas of agriculture, aquaculture and environment in Bangladesh and Malaysia.
Both hilsa fish and rice are important for the economy of Bangladesh, just as food
security and cocoa production for Malaysia. The case study for solid waste management
is well chosen as it is a perennial problem in third-world countries. This
part of the book is illustrative of the power of system dynamics methodology as to
how it can address many complex issues of today very easily.