1632 



in reduced output of work. Deficiencies of the eight amino acids col- 

 lectively designated as "protein" cause physical and mental retarda- 

 tion, a disease called "kwashiorkor," and vulnerability to many 

 normally minor disorders. Thus, the poorer the diet, the higher the 

 incidence of disease, and with it the more difficult the developing 

 country's task in seeking to provide its people with an adequate diet ; 

 and as diet-deficient children become adults, the fewer of them will 

 ultimately be qualified to carry out the more sophisticated tasks of 

 economic development. 



The population side of the equation is no less important. The 

 world's population is increasing faster than at any time in previous 

 history. Moreover, increases are highest in the underdeveloped coun- 

 tries. "Thus, while the current rate of population growth in North 

 America is 1.2 percent, in Western Europe 0.6 percent, and in the 

 U.S.S.R. 1 percent, in Africa it is 2.7 percent, in Asia 2.3 percent, and 

 in Latin America 2.9 percent." ^'^ The significance of these rates of 

 population growth in relation to food supply and economic develop- 

 ment is of conmianding importance. As the author points out: 



There are many reasons to consider the need for national and global eflforts to 

 stem the rate of population increase. Population density aflfects the ability of 

 human societies to preserve the quality of life, to make available adequate re- 

 sources to sustain life, to maintain order, to govern, to insure the security of the 

 individual from crime, to maintain the security of nations from tension or even 

 insurrection, I and to reduce the possibility of international conflicts. Population 

 numbers and rate of increase have a profound bearing on all of these."^ 



PoUtical unrest is a recurrent theme. Thus: 



All phases of development are retarded as long as population eats into economic 

 growth. Investment is held back or channeled into unproductive areas. Job oppor- 

 tunities are not created, and unemployment or underemployment spreads. Social 

 misery continues unchecked, and populations — rural and urban — become increas- 

 ingly susceptible to appeals to violence."* 



And again: 



Population pressure in one country (for example East Pakistan) cannot help 

 exerting pressure on its neighbors (for example India). Population dififerences 

 make bad neighbors, just as affluence and poverty make bad neighbors. This 

 dilemma must be resolved cooperatively if it is to be resolved at aJl. It will be 

 solved either rationally by agreement among nations and an orderly process of 

 implementation; or it is Kkely to be resolved irrationally by war, disease, and 

 social disorder within and among nations."' 



How the Issue Developed 



The seriously disproportionate growth of population in relation 

 to agricultural productivity iu the developing countries today presents 

 a different picture from that of 19th century Europe or the United 

 States in undergoing their transformations into modem industriaUzed 

 nations. Abundant fertile and weU-watered land m a congenial climate 

 solved the U.S. food problem, further aided by systematic resort to 

 advancing farm technology and capital. Western Europe combined 

 advanced agricultural technology with imports of food, paid for with 

 exports from industry. Japan combined the European practice with 

 extensive resort to food from the ocean. In all three cases, the fortunate 



^ Ibid., p. 822. 

 1ST Ibid., p. 860. 

 ^ Ibid., p. 864. 

 ^' Ibid., p. 861. 



