H. Max Miller

Effects of the changing structure of agriculture on nonwhite farming in the U.S., the South, and Georgia: 1954–1978

This paper examines the impact of selected changes in agriculture on nonwhite farming in America during the period 1954–1978. The issues addressed relate to the decline in the number of farms, the decline in non‐white land ownership, and the general economic situation of nonwhite farm households. Comparisons are made of the plight of nonwhite and white farm(er)s within the context of overall structural changes in American agriculture–economic, social, and technological changes which resulted in an 83 percent decline in the number of nonwhite‐operated farms compared to a 44 percent decline in the number of farms operated by whites between 1954 and 1978.

American Rural Communities.

0-8133-1477-1 Rural Communities : Legacy and Change 0-8133-8558-X Sacred Cows and Hot Potatoes : Agrarian Myths and Agricultural Policy

Patterns of population growth in Africa

This paper discusses past present and future trends in Africas population growth stressing problems associated with overpopulation and discussing measures for reducing the population growth rate. Between 1950 and 1980 sudden declines in death rates coupled with high birth rates increased the African population dramatically despite poor economic growth and widespread political instability. The urban population has increased more than 300% since 1950 reaching 136 million by 1980. 70% of Africans still reside in rural areas however and this population continues to grow at a rate almost as astounding as that in urban areas. As a result by 2025 the urban population is expected to reach 1.5 billion with 900 million people in urban areas and 650 million in rural. In addition the age structure has shifted so that Africa now has the worlds highest percentage of children relative to adults which places a greater burden on a smaller workforce to provide for a growing dependent population. As a result the present and future populations are likely to face declining standards of living. The author argues that economic and social development supported by strong educational systems along with government supported family planning programs are necessary to decrease Africas population growth. Specifically higher education and employment for females could help reduce the fertility rate. Yet in general the bureaucratic nature of African governments has stalled the implementation of such programs. Unless systematic programs for dealing with the population crisis are enacted the future for African people promises to be bleak as per capita income and standards of living drop below the subsistence levels of today.