Title: The greening of Africa: breaking through in the battle for land and food.

POPLINE Document Number: 148956

Author(s):

Harrison P

Source citation:

New York, New York, Penguin Books, 1987. 380 p.

Abstract:

This book entitled, The Greening of Africa , written by Paul Harrison, provides a lively and authoritative survey of the roots of the problems in Africa, from chronic debt and food deficits to land degradation and deforestation. The author surveyed the groundbreaking ventures that mobilized the peasants to boost food production, conserve soil, water and forest and reduce vulnerability to drought. In part one, it provides an overview on the dimensions of the crisis, the harshness of habitat and the record of failure in Africa. Part two presents the response of the government in the light of the problems, which are the tapping of the potential, boosting of food production, the implementation of green revolution, success in soil conservation, land reclamation, water conservation, forestry protection, significance of agroforestry, solving of the fuelwood crisis, importance of livestock production, solving of runaway population problems, the emphasis on human resource, and the mobilization for change. Lastly, the third part presents the lessons learned during the implementation of programs, particularly the secrets of success and the prospects for a quantum leap.

Keywords:

Africa
Environmental Impact
Food Supply
Land Supply
Natural Resources
Developing Countries
Environment