As an academic field, agriculture looks at the cultivation of land, breeding of animals, and the growth and harvesting of plants, amongst other things. These are all important processes as they provide food, fibres, medicinal properties and other products to sustain and enhance life. Agriculture has long been acknowledged as one of the main contributors to the development of the modern civilisation, and dates back thousands of years. The field of agricultural science is also fast developing, and has a great impact on the climate and environment.