continued to give low priority to Africa*s external debt crisis. Yet, considering the relatively low per capita income in most of Africa, which included 26 of the world's 36 least developed countries, the African region was suffering a much more severe debt crisis than other developing regions. Developed creditor countries and financial and monetary institutions should give due attention to the general economic crisis, aggravated by drought and desertification in most African countries. He referred also to the establishment of the African Monetary Fund as a tool for achieving collective self-reliance and urged member States to contribute to its capital once the Fund was formally established. 217. The representative of Zaire said that attaining food self-sufficiency called for a critical and objective appraisal of food consumption patterns, the technology imported for farming in Africa, the negative implications of food aid for agricultural development, and imported inputs that destroyed the ecological balance, in particular, soil fertility. To carry out such an appraisal properly, it would be judicious to hold a meeting of African experts to consider the various issues in practical terms and propose initiatives and activities to reduce Africa's dependence on the outside world. He believed that local African technologies, once developed, modernized and rationally exploited, would enable the continent to achieve food self-sufficiency in conformity with the Lagos Plan of Action and the Final Act of Lagos. 2ig In his intervention, the representative of the Libyan Arab .Tamahiriya pointed out that economic crisis (aggravated by drought in recent years) on the African continent was evidence of the inability of the African economy to cope with the problems involved because of its unbalanced and undiversified structure. Despite the availability of a lot of information about the African economy and its problems, the situation was still de­ teriorating and the objectives of the Lagos Plan of Action were yet to be 
**Analysis**
The text discusses the economic crisis in Africa, including the debt crisis, food self-sufficiency, and the need for collective self-reliance. It also touches on the impact of drought and desertification on the region's economy. The language used is focused on economic development and the need for sustainable solutions, rather than on specific industries or sectors.

**Category**
Economic development, Agriculture, forestry and fishing