POPULATION-GROWTH AND NATURAL-RESOURCE USE - DO WE NEED TO DESPAIR OFAFRICA

Population growth can lead to increases in agricultural output per hea d on a more sustainable basis. This was the conclusion of Boserup in 1 965. The powerful mechanisms she identified can be illustrated by a st udy of Machakos District, Kenya during 1930-1960, which shows that, if policies are supportive, agricultural and non-farm incomes grow faste r than even the rapid population growth rate experienced in Africa. La nd use capability is not fixed, but can be transformed by investment, new technologies and good management. Lack of investment and consequen t degradation are most likely at low population densities. While the s tudy cannot foretell the future, Java illustrates a similar theme at e ven higher densities. It is essential that research understands the po sition the farmer has reached, and contributes, with other sources of information, to the technologies he or she can choose.