Ibrahim Arikok
Malthusiasm: An Africa Dilemma
Chapter 6
SUMMARY
The “Food Supply in Africa” which was written by E. E. Njoku in Malthusiasm: An African Dilemma, 1986, pg.69-87 is based on the reduction of food supply in Africa and, eventually, to the starvation of the population. Njoko presents multiple reasons to why the African population is in this situation.
Njoko argues that the food crisis in Africa is a result of the drought conditions which began in the 1983-1984 continuing up to date. During this period, the author claims, the rapid population growth, the “urban-based development”, and the “rural-to-urban” migration played essential role to the food supply in Africa (Njoko, 1986, pg 70). Moreover, because the governments in Africa invested and based their economy in the urban centers and cut their investments to rural areas (farmers) there was a decrease in the production of commodities (Njoko, 1986, pg. 69-71).
Secondly, Rockefeller indicates because of the migration to urban cities there was a decline in the number of jobs in urban areas. Therefore, not only was there a decline in the numbers of farmers but because of the migration there was, inevitably, a decline in the number of jobs available in the cities (Njoko, 1986, pg. 71). Njoko claims that the population of Africa in 1981 was 484 million and by 1994 it was 680 million. Moreover, the urban population in 1994 was 253 million and by 2004 it was 414 million. Not only was there a rapid population growth but even a greater growth in the urban population is evident (Njoko, 1986, pg. 74-75).
Furthermore, Njoko focuses on the average food consumption of Africans and notes that it is decreasing. The author argues that the food consumption includes: “starch, gari, yam, cassava, rice, vegetable, and dried fish” (Njoko, 1986, pg. 75). However, Njoko claims that the consumption of fruits, meat, and fresh fish are limited. Moreover, “…only about one percent of the African food dollar goes to eggs and dairy products” (Njoko, 1986, pg. 75). Njoko also disputes that the average calorie intake of an African is better 2, 000 to 2, 400 calories.
After these issues, Njoko presents possible formulas to cope with the food crisis in Africa. The author contends that the land and water of Africa is extremely valuable. Moreover, the renewable resources, the fish, the wildlife, and the trees enrich the continent. Njoko argues that if these resources are managed effectively Africa will be in a better place (Njoko, 1986, pg. 78).
Also, Njoko states that the intensive cropping of land is practiced in Africa. As a result, the soil is not favorable and the production is limited. Furthermore, there are huge problems with diseases and parasites in Africa. This effects the production of commodities and in various regions is the result to Kwashiorkor (“which is an extreme form of malnutrition” (Njoko, 1986, pg. 80). Njoko goes further by asserting that there are “…several thousand pounds of livestock… lost in Africa to disease and parasites” (Njoko, 1986, pg. 81). In addition, the severe drought in Africa played a vital role to the death of livestock and to the use of land.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Malthusiasm: An Africa Dilemma
September 23, 2007
3. Chapter
Summary
“Farmers in Development”, which was written by E. E. Njoku E.E Njoku in Malthusiasm: An African Dilemma, 1986, pg 22-35, based on farmers’ role and situations of them during the industrialization of Africa. Njoku emphasizes and uses many significant events to explain the farmers’ place in Africa (pg 22-35).
As a first, Njoku states that although farming forms the Africans’ standard of living, it is no longer to maintain its place against growing of trade (pg 22). However, the author also demonstrates the importance of agriculture for Africans and proposes how they could create better living conditions for themselves by combining their resources and technological improvements to establish cooperation which could lead them to live in better standard (pg 23-24).
Secondly, Njoku focuses on scheme of cooperative marketing that had established to bring a stable marketing and to prevent disarrangement in the market as well (pg 25). Njoku, however, reveals that the West African control board substituted the ministry of food and used neither to raise the profits of farmers nor to stabilize the market as a benefit of Africans (pg 26-27).
Furthermore, Njoku also indicates that because of the lack of the organized union during the 1920’s through the early 30’s, brokers and money lenders had felt free to lead the market as advantages of them (pg 28-29). There were two events that caused problems according to Njoku (pg28). First, the high rate of interest which had been applied by brokers and lenders were unable to be paid by the farmers, second is available crops that had been pledged to the lenders (Njoku, pg 28-29).
After these issues, Njoku focuses on producers’ marketing societies and operation of marketing boards (pg 29-31). As a first, Njoku states what cooperative marketing societies were established for and what these societies were standing for (pg 29-31).
In addition, the author indicates that these societies are responsible to stabilize the fluctuation in the market and to control sales and export of products which are significant to accelerate the improvement of industrialization (pg30-31).
As a last, Njoku takes the issues which were existed east of Africa (pg31-33). The author, firstly, reveals single-channel marketing existing in cooperative marketing and begins to demonstrate the issue by talking about governments’ responsibilities about the marketing boards. However, Njoku also mentions that the principal tasks of the marketing board have become more important to apply authority on stabilization of economic life (pg 32-33).
3. Chapter
Summary
“Farmers in Development”, which was written by E. E. Njoku E.E Njoku in Malthusiasm: An African Dilemma, 1986, pg 22-35, based on farmers’ role and situations of them during the industrialization of Africa. Njoku emphasizes and uses many significant events to explain the farmers’ place in Africa (pg 22-35).
As a first, Njoku states that although farming forms the Africans’ standard of living, it is no longer to maintain its place against growing of trade (pg 22). However, the author also demonstrates the importance of agriculture for Africans and proposes how they could create better living conditions for themselves by combining their resources and technological improvements to establish cooperation which could lead them to live in better standard (pg 23-24).
Secondly, Njoku focuses on scheme of cooperative marketing that had established to bring a stable marketing and to prevent disarrangement in the market as well (pg 25). Njoku, however, reveals that the West African control board substituted the ministry of food and used neither to raise the profits of farmers nor to stabilize the market as a benefit of Africans (pg 26-27).
Furthermore, Njoku also indicates that because of the lack of the organized union during the 1920’s through the early 30’s, brokers and money lenders had felt free to lead the market as advantages of them (pg 28-29). There were two events that caused problems according to Njoku (pg28). First, the high rate of interest which had been applied by brokers and lenders were unable to be paid by the farmers, second is available crops that had been pledged to the lenders (Njoku, pg 28-29).
After these issues, Njoku focuses on producers’ marketing societies and operation of marketing boards (pg 29-31). As a first, Njoku states what cooperative marketing societies were established for and what these societies were standing for (pg 29-31).
In addition, the author indicates that these societies are responsible to stabilize the fluctuation in the market and to control sales and export of products which are significant to accelerate the improvement of industrialization (pg30-31).
As a last, Njoku takes the issues which were existed east of Africa (pg31-33). The author, firstly, reveals single-channel marketing existing in cooperative marketing and begins to demonstrate the issue by talking about governments’ responsibilities about the marketing boards. However, Njoku also mentions that the principal tasks of the marketing board have become more important to apply authority on stabilization of economic life (pg 32-33).
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Malthusiasm: An Africa Dilemma
Summary
September 17, 2007
2. Chapter
Summary
“The people and the land” is the second subject that is mentioned by .E.E Njoku in Malthusiasm: An African Dilemma, 1986, pg 11-21. Njoku takes both subjects as being related in industrialization of Africa.
According to Njoku, the land of African is characterized by a diversified climate so that there is a huge place for agriculture which plays significant role for Africans in order to survive their lives; therefore, the big amount of population which is still increasing has dispersed around suitable land to supply the labor of agriculture (p 11- 12).
However, the technological growths about agriculture and also industry have shown up by many beneficial and significant outcomes according to Njoku (p 13-15). Improvement of agriculture has affected from many side of the way people are living as advantage because of increasing the incomes of Africans. Njoku, however, points out that agricultural and industrial sector are not competitive; thus, the rapidly increasing of industry can probably cause the unemployment in agriculture unless the agricultural sector can be developed as much as industry has been done (p 14).
Furthermore, the improvement of a country is occurred by investment in a country. However, Africans can not afford the expensive investments as much as the developed countries can do; thus, the capitalism which is divided into 3 categories; financial, human and social has been playing grade role in the situation of the country during the industrialization according to Njoku (16-18).
As a result, this improvement of the economy also brings the big differences about statues of people (Njoku, p18). People who live under the minimum- income level still live in poverty; therefore, hunger and diseases are still growing in society which is lack of increased human productivity and societal development according to Njoku (p 19).
September 17, 2007
2. Chapter
Summary
“The people and the land” is the second subject that is mentioned by .E.E Njoku in Malthusiasm: An African Dilemma, 1986, pg 11-21. Njoku takes both subjects as being related in industrialization of Africa.
According to Njoku, the land of African is characterized by a diversified climate so that there is a huge place for agriculture which plays significant role for Africans in order to survive their lives; therefore, the big amount of population which is still increasing has dispersed around suitable land to supply the labor of agriculture (p 11- 12).
However, the technological growths about agriculture and also industry have shown up by many beneficial and significant outcomes according to Njoku (p 13-15). Improvement of agriculture has affected from many side of the way people are living as advantage because of increasing the incomes of Africans. Njoku, however, points out that agricultural and industrial sector are not competitive; thus, the rapidly increasing of industry can probably cause the unemployment in agriculture unless the agricultural sector can be developed as much as industry has been done (p 14).
Furthermore, the improvement of a country is occurred by investment in a country. However, Africans can not afford the expensive investments as much as the developed countries can do; thus, the capitalism which is divided into 3 categories; financial, human and social has been playing grade role in the situation of the country during the industrialization according to Njoku (16-18).
As a result, this improvement of the economy also brings the big differences about statues of people (Njoku, p18). People who live under the minimum- income level still live in poverty; therefore, hunger and diseases are still growing in society which is lack of increased human productivity and societal development according to Njoku (p 19).
Malthusiasm; An African Dilemma
September 17, 2007
1. Chapter
Summary
“Is African population increasing faster than its food supply?” and “Is agriculture production growing faster than the demand for food production” are two questions which is written by J.E.E Njoku in Malthusiasm: An African Dilemma, 1986, pg 1-10. The author try to examine issues based on Malthusion theory by starting population checks and including family planning, population growth, population analysis and policy, and as a last drought and famine.
According to Malthus theory mentioned by Njoku, if you consider that population more likely to double every 25 years, wars, starvation, pestilence and famine are the solutions which control the growing population (p-2). However, the growing population is faster than available food supply in Africa so that this issue pressures on famine and starvation which prove Malthus theory (p-2).
Having many children is considered a source of pride in African societies; therefore, family planning is not so popular to being attention because of polygamy except some educated groups and middle class according to Njoku(p3-6). In addition the growing population has affected on agriculture policy, so the food situation has cause grave issues which are related in drought and starvation according to Njoku(p-5).
As a last Njoku emphasizes that the increasing of population unavailable affects upon education and another aspects which have led the society the lowest type of living in the earth (p6-7). Thus, the food supply is almost handicapped against of the increasing population because of drought and famine in Africa (p7-8)
1. Chapter
Summary
“Is African population increasing faster than its food supply?” and “Is agriculture production growing faster than the demand for food production” are two questions which is written by J.E.E Njoku in Malthusiasm: An African Dilemma, 1986, pg 1-10. The author try to examine issues based on Malthusion theory by starting population checks and including family planning, population growth, population analysis and policy, and as a last drought and famine.
According to Malthus theory mentioned by Njoku, if you consider that population more likely to double every 25 years, wars, starvation, pestilence and famine are the solutions which control the growing population (p-2). However, the growing population is faster than available food supply in Africa so that this issue pressures on famine and starvation which prove Malthus theory (p-2).
Having many children is considered a source of pride in African societies; therefore, family planning is not so popular to being attention because of polygamy except some educated groups and middle class according to Njoku(p3-6). In addition the growing population has affected on agriculture policy, so the food situation has cause grave issues which are related in drought and starvation according to Njoku(p-5).
As a last Njoku emphasizes that the increasing of population unavailable affects upon education and another aspects which have led the society the lowest type of living in the earth (p6-7). Thus, the food supply is almost handicapped against of the increasing population because of drought and famine in Africa (p7-8)
Monday, September 10, 2007
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