Background papers

The first paper examines food production and consumption problems and the strategies commonly used to resolve them; stress is laid on the need for bottom-up strategies, based on an understanding of the objectives of traditional farmers. The second paper addresses the problem of burgeoning population growth and the unconcern of governments to its significance; included is a discussion of the causes of high fertility and of population migration, as well as brief resumes of population policies in Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The third paper reviews the relationship between energy and food systems, including energy costs and shortages, appropriate technology, energy allocation, and energy management. Succeeding papers assess the poor quality of collected data in East Africa (a problem noted in several of the papers); analyze the causes of food shortages in Tanzania; and review food production, population growth, and energy needs in seven East African countries. A final paper presents a set of recommendations to address the above-noted problems. Appended are 9 figures, 11 tables, and a 5-page bibliography (1966-79).