African Land Poorly Used, U.N. Aide Says

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Africa has enough land to feed nearly three times its present population of about 531 million people, but the continent’s resources are under-utilized, according to a senior United Nations official.

Because of this, Africa had been forced to import enough grain to feed 140 million people since 1984. Unless urgent steps are taken to reverse the trend, the food imports will increase, said Racim Sant’Anna, Africa regional soil resources officer for the Food and Agriculture Organization.

He told delegates at a food conference in Harare on Tuesday night that the continent could end its food deficit by using more fertilizer, stepping up soil conservation, reclaiming poor soils and irrigating land.

Africa could also catch more fish, Sant’Anna said. “Total fish production by African countries amounted to about 4.3 million tons in 1983, while the total potential catch is estimated at about 11 million tons,” he said.