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.
3 comments:
Hi, Ibrahim,
The message as below might frustrate you....
"Starvation" again....it was just like to talk about the reason of causing a tragedy every week.
Honestly, this topic does not quite attract me, BUT I tried very hard to give you my critical thinking and perspective related to your issue.
Therefore, again, I sincerely hope you "vomit" your comments for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You can be strict for my article! I entirely would NOT mind it!
However, if you did not give me any comments, or any feedback, I would say sorry that I might probably lose my patience to spend 3 hours on each of your article in order to squeeze out any "comments" which might really help you in your research paper although I am not really interested in your topic.
Peace and Good luck.
Hopefully, you will not be mad after you see this message....
Alison
My comments as below:
Congratulation! You finally find this chapter which focus on what you need.
I learned that Africa civilians’ immigration from rural to urban area would cause a lack of food supply because less people do farming in rural area, and as you said, that was government’s fault. You mentioned the author’s opinion that Africa has renewable sources such as diamond and good land, but why people still live in poverty?
That was worthy to think that the relationship between civilians and the government, and to think about the profit that the government earns. Why does government cope with Africa’s starvation problem in this way? Why does not government provide more jobs for people who emigrate from rural area to urban area, so civilians would find jobs for supporting their living, and further they might support their families who were still in rural area? Therefore, their family could continue farming to support the food supply in Africa. For this reason, the economic state in Africa would be raised up, and people would not live in starvation anymore.
Hopefully, the government could take some experts’ advice and in the future, the starvation in Africa would be shifted.
Alison
Hello, Ibrahim.
you did good job. Let me tell you only one thing. you are talking about 3 things in one paragraph, I mean the 2nd one. In this paragaph, I can see food crisis in Africa is result of drought,rapid population growth, fail of goverment policy. I think you shoud have mentioned only one thing in one paragraph. but except that, yours has really clear organization.
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