-0.8 -3.f -1.13.7 -15.9 -0.2 -0.7 1.1 9.2 -2.0-7 .7 9.4 0.t -0 .4 -1.9 -I.5 0.52.5 -7 .6 -2 .1 -2.L -2.9-L .4 -.'. t -u.5 -0. 6 -1.0 r.8 -0.9 Source:l:"1?9i! Commission for Afrlca, situation gf Food and Aqriculture in Africa (E/ECA /cvt.Lo /I9, pp. 3-4. t Total Africa excludes librth_eastern Afrlca.A/ 40 /5L9 English Page L72 328. Tbe causes of the food crisis in Africa are three-fold. First, Africa is experienciDg a higher rate of population growth than any other conlinent' Food produclion must increase by at least 3 per cene annually sinply to naintain Ehe quanEity of food avail-able per person, and that. does not take into consideration the need to irnprove nutrilional standards. However, an increase ir food producEion by nore tban 3 per cent annually over an extended period of time has only been possibte in a few coungries, and generally reouires najor increases in the use of fertilizer, capital eouipment. irrigation and the introduction of appropriate nert seeds and technologies. 329. Second, Africa nay be underqoing clinatic changes and soi!- erosion on a scale lhat is perhaps not yet fully apPreciated. Forests are being cut for fuel and lunber at a devastating rate. For exanple' 80 per cent of the Ganbia was covered by forest in 1920r this was dol.'n to 40 per cent in 1965, and f0 per cent today' Deforestation has resulted in widespread soil erosion and changes in general clirnatic and rain patterns. Specifically, as forests are cut down, water runoff increases, which reduces noisture in the air and the fornation of cfouds, leading to less rain and resulting in topsoil tbat is dry and easily blown away. Each drought in Africa seems to becone nore serious than Cbe previous one. The borders
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the food crisis in Africa, discussing the causes and consequences of population growth, climate change, and deforestation on agriculture and food production. The text also touches on the need for increased food production, use of fertilizers, and introduction of new technologies. Given this content, it is likely that the text falls under categories related to agriculture, environment, and development.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Natural resources and environment