African agricultural production over the past two decades has not kept up with population
growth. Political and natural factors have inhibited investment, technological change and growth.
Without substantial improvements in agricultural productivity and sound natural resource
management, most African rural dwellers will not be able to improve their well-being for the
foreseeable future. Increasing agricultural production to achieve food security, higher incomes and
sustainable economic growth while preserving the natural resource base remains the central
challenge of African development.