Who is credited as the author of the first agricultural textbook?

The first agricultural textbook is attributed to Pietro de Cresenzi, an Italian agronomist who wrote "Ruralia Comedia" in the late 13th century. This work is significant because it provided detailed descriptions of agricultural practices, crop cultivation methods, and rural life, bridging practical farming with scholarly insight. It laid a foundational framework for future agricultural literature and practices. Cresenzi's approach to documenting farming techniques and observations served as an essential reference for farmers and scholars alike and established him as a pioneer in the field of agricultural education. This historical context highlights why his authorship is often recognized in discussions of agricultural textbooks.