Kitchen Garden Forum

An interesting article on possible developments in African agriculture:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11890702

Four consecutive paragraphs which between them say much...

While 70% of Africans may be engaged in farming, those who are undernourished on the continent has risen by 100 million to 250 million since 1990, he estimates.

The professor's blueprint calls for the expansion of basic infrastructure, including new road, irrigation and energy schemes.

Farms should be mechanised, storage and processing facilities built, while biotechnology and GM crops should be used where they can bring benefits.

But what was needed above all else was the political will at the highest level.

Agree with this, Africa is a very rich land.

Alan wrote:-

(While 70% of Africans may be engaged in farming, those who are undernourished on the continent has risen by 100 million to 250 million since 1990, he estimates.

The professor's blueprint calls for the expansion of basic infrastructure, including new road, irrigation and energy schemes.

Farms should be mechanised, storage and processing facilities built, while biotechnology and GM crops should be used where they can bring benefits.

But what was needed above all else was the political will at the highest level.)
Zimbabwe had two of the above until Mugabwe took over,the middle two, now they have the first and last.

I quote from the book:
"He estimates that while food production has grown globally by 145% over the past 40 years, African food production has fallen by 10% since 1960, which he attributes to low investment. "


Pull the other one.

"Low investment" is a nice way of saying .. wars, mismanagement and tyranny...

So I assume the rest of the book is written in the same manner..

I agree with the second post, African soil is rich and if politically organised correctly the country could imporove so much. It is good that someone is discussing these things