population-food inter-relationship in Kenya: district level analysis 1980 to 2000a case study of maize and beans

Abstract

The inter relationship between population and food production (maize and beans) in Kenya at district level for the period 1980 to 2000 was investigated. The investigations were based on the 1969 and 1979 population data and the food statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture. Population project were calculated for the period 1980-2000 to estimate demand fir maize and beans for the period under considerations. This was dome to test the broad hypothesis that the annual population growth rates in the districts studied will continue to increase up to the year 2000, the annual maize and beans production rates at district levels will be rising. Demand for maize and beans in the different districts will outweigh the supply and that a linear relationship exists between population density and the total amount of maize and beans produced per 1000 population, the total area of land under maize and beans and the total yield per hectare of land under maize and beans