A Comparison of Population Growth Rate and the Rate of Increase in Food Crop Production in Africa

Abstract

Millions of people in Africa require sufficient food for healthy living. However, inefficient farming practices are making a lot more people hungry and poor. Simultaneously, the population keeps on increasing. The legitimate question that this study seeks to address is how the production capacity can meet the needs of the increasing population in the future. The chapter examines the increase in population growth and its consequences on food production with the consideration of the theory of population growth by Thomas Malthus. The result of time series data analyzed shows that population growth is increasing at a high rate whereas food production growth is increasing at a decreasing rate. The trend seems to confirm that the Malthus population theory is still relevant in Africa. The study recommends that stewards and policymakers invest immensely in agriculture to improve technology, skills, methods, and know-how to boost food production and invest in women in adopting family planning to decrease population growth for the solution of food deficiency.