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9
levels among small-scale farmers from the early 1990s to 2013. In a similar vein,
Snyder et al. (2020) show how Tanzanian small-scale farmers responded swiftly to
changes in the political economic context, which ‘debunks the idea that rural farmers are slow to respond to “modern” farming methods or that smallholder farming
is stagnant and cannot reduce poverty’ (p. 33).
According to Wiggins (2005) agricultural growth areas normally are densely
populated and with proximity to markets, while the areas where there is less agricultural growth are usually sparsely populated, marginal regions with poor access
to markets. Studies of success stories of agricultural development in Africa show
two common characteristics: firstly, a correlation between high population density
and agricultural growth, and secondly, that this growth is also largely driven by
access to markets (Wiggins 2005).
The close relationship between population density and growth in agriculture
that has been observed from case studies in Africa supports the theory of agricultural development introduced by the Danish agricultural economist, Ester Boserup
(1910–1999) (Boserup 1965). This theory was an explicit attack on Malthusian
views on the impact of population growth on agricultural production. Boserup did
not view population growth as a problem, as Malthus did, but rather as a resource.
In her opinion, a certain population density is a prerequisite for technological
innovation and productivity improvements in agriculture. She also considered population growth as a factor that fosters agricultural intensification through technological change and innovation.
Intensification can also at one time or the other result in increased labour investments in upgrading the land. This may be in the form of tree planting and construction of dikes, terraces, dams and contour lines that will increase the resource
base. Thus, carrying capacity is not taken as a fixed entity, but is seen as flexible.
Hence, a certain population density may be a necessary condition for increasing
agricultural production in areas where first and foremost it is the labour of the
people that drives development—in the absence of investment capital. As a second
factor, there is the need to access markets to sell surplus production.
In the next sections, we will first present a case from northern Mali, which may
be said to be an area that is under-populated for agricultural development.
Thereafter, we shall introduce research from the cotton zone in southern Mali,
which shows the market’s role as an engine for agricultural development. This case
also discusses possible environmental consequences of intensification in agriculture. Finally, we present an example of how capital and the market can play opposite and even destructive roles in relation to agricultural development in Africa.
Labour Constraints in Northern Mali
As a response to recurrent droughts in the Sahel, there have been attempts to make
nomadic pastoralists diversify their mode of subsistence (Pedersen and Benjaminsen
2008). National governments and international development agencies often claim
that it is important for pastoralists not to depend only on one source of income.
Agriculture is therefore frequently promoted in areas that are dominated by animal
9.1 · Population Growth and Agricultural Development in Africa
9
levels among small-scale farmers from the early 1990s to 2013. In a similar vein,
Snyder et al. (2020) show how Tanzanian small-scale farmers responded swiftly to
changes in the political economic context, which ‘debunks the idea that rural farmers are slow to respond to “modern” farming methods or that smallholder farming
is stagnant and cannot reduce poverty’ (p. 33).
According to Wiggins (2005) agricultural growth areas normally are densely
populated and with proximity to markets, while the areas where there is less agricultural growth are usually sparsely populated, marginal regions with poor access
to markets. Studies of success stories of agricultural development in Africa show
two common characteristics: firstly, a correlation between high population density
and agricultural growth, and secondly, that this growth is also largely driven by
access to markets (Wiggins 2005).
The close relationship between population density and growth in agriculture
that has been observed from case studies in Africa supports the theory of agricultural development introduced by the Danish agricultural economist, Ester Boserup
(1910–1999) (Boserup 1965). This theory was an explicit attack on Malthusian
views on the impact of population growth on agricultural production. Boserup did
not view population growth as a problem, as Malthus did, but rather as a resource.
In her opinion, a certain population density is a prerequisite for technological
innovation and productivity improvements in agriculture. She also considered population growth as a factor that fosters agricultural intensification through technological change and innovation.
Intensification can also at one time or the other result in increased labour investments in upgrading the land. This may be in the form of tree planting and construction of dikes, terraces, dams and contour lines that will increase the resource
base. Thus, carrying capacity is not taken as a fixed entity, but is seen as flexible.
Hence, a certain population density may be a necessary condition for increasing
agricultural production in areas where first and foremost it is the labour of the
people that drives development—in the absence of investment capital. As a second
factor, there is the need to access markets to sell surplus production.
In the next sections, we will first present a case from northern Mali, which may
be said to be an area that is under-populated for agricultural development.
Thereafter, we shall introduce research from the cotton zone in southern Mali,
which shows the market’s role as an engine for agricultural development. This case
also discusses possible environmental consequences of intensification in agriculture. Finally, we present an example of how capital and the market can play opposite and even destructive roles in relation to agricultural development in Africa.
Labour Constraints in Northern Mali
As a response to recurrent droughts in the Sahel, there have been attempts to make
nomadic pastoralists diversify their mode of subsistence (Pedersen and Benjaminsen
2008). National governments and international development agencies often claim
that it is important for pastoralists not to depend only on one source of income.
Agriculture is therefore frequently promoted in areas that are dominated by animal
9.1 · Population Growth and Agricultural Development in Africa