The Historiography of Hunger: Changing Views on the World Food Problem 1945-1980

Abstract

The author discusses changing views on the world food problem since 1945. "The extent of the problem has been a matter of debate as hunger cannot be directly measured; estimated minimum requirements for energy have been reduced since 1945 and the causes of malnutrition reappraised. World food production has kept up with population growth since 1945, as it has in all major regions except Africa. But when individual countries are considered, food output per head has been declining since 1961-5 in many countries in Africa and Asia. Food output has been increased in the developing countries by expanding the area under cultivation and by increasing yields." In addition the author concludes that "the Green Revolution has however not achieved early expectations and has had some adverse economic and social consequences. Because world food output per caput has risen considerably since 1945, some have argued that the world food problem is one of distribution, not production. Data on food output per caput suggest this is not always so."