The Dilemma of Food in Africa

Abstract

Although over 70 per cent of the labour force is engaged in agriculture, Africa is loosing the capacity to feed itself. Drought, a fast growing population, widespread deterioration of the countryside, as well as a chronic undereinvestment in agriculture, have all contributed to declining yields and a vicious cycle of poverty from which the peasant farmer and African countries have increasingly found it difficult to escape.
The need therefore is most urgent for African governments to reexamine their food and agricultural policies to tumble them provide more food for their growing population. Encouragement of large and Medium scale commercial farming, land reform, environmental management, reduction of population growth, improvement in storage and transport facilities as well as pursue political stability and a cessation of the violent conflicts that have characterized the continent, will reduce the food problem in Africa.