Unit 4 - Essays - Malthus Vs Boserup

Question 1

‘Population will always grow to exceed food supply’. With the aid of examples, how far do you agree?

Answer 1

1. Support for Malthus – crisis in LICs (agree)

Sudan & South Sudan: 20+ million food insecure

Agricultural growth stagnant while population growth is 2.4–3.7%

Conflict, climate shocks, and poor infrastructure hinder food access

2. But technological innovation can overcome limits (challenge)

India’s Green Revolution proved Boserup’s theory – HYV seeds, irrigation, fertilisers

Wheat production grew from 12M tonnes (1965) to 100M+ (2022)

3. However, innovation brings new limits (refinement)

India faces groundwater depletion, soil salinity, and regional inequality

Urbanisation and climate change reintroduce pressure on food systems

4. Context matters: technology, governance, and wealth play a role

LICs struggle to innovate fast enough (e.g. South Sudan)

HICs and MICs better placed to adapt, but long-term sustainability is an issue

Conclusion

Malthus’ theory holds in fragile states, but globally, food supply can keep pace through innovation. However, environmental and social costs suggest limits are not fully overcome.

Question 2

‘Changes in food production have had the biggest impact on reducing mortality.’ With the aid of examples, how far do you agree?

Answer 2

1. Yes – Agricultural change lowers malnutrition and boosts survival

India: Green Revolution reduced infant mortality from 165 to 28 per 1,000

Better nutrition and food security schemes (e.g., PDS) improved health

2. But healthcare improvements were equally important

Vaccines, sanitation, and maternal care reduced mortality (e.g., global child mortality fell due to health access, not just food)

3. Emergency responses matter in LICs

Sudan/South Sudan: food aid from WFP, nutrition programmes save lives short term

Conflict resolution, healthcare, and education reduce long-term mortality

4. Education and female empowerment as indirect food-related factors

Girls’ education reduces birth rate and improves family health outcomes

Informed parenting improves child nutrition and survival

Conclusion

Changes in food production are critical but not the biggest factor everywhere. Mortality reduction is multifactorial – health systems, education, and political stability also play key roles.

Question 3

‘Constraints to sustaining a population can easily be overcome’. With the aid of examples, to what extent do you agree with this view?

Answer 3

1. Yes – Innovation and investment can overcome some limits

India: Overcame food crisis via Green Revolution (HYVs, irrigation, fertilisers)

Policy responses like PM-KISAN and Soil Health Cards show ongoing effort

2. But not all constraints are easily addressed (challenge)

South Sudan: conflict, climate extremes, displacement – persistent issues

Environmental degradation (desertification, overgrazing) worsens long-term capacity

3. Structural inequality limits responses

In India, smallholders and women often lacked access to tech

In Sudan, lack of infrastructure and market access limits agricultural growth

4. Some constraints are worsening (new challenges)

Climate change: unpredictable monsoons, crop failures

Urbanisation reducing farmland; changing diets increase demand

Conclusion

Some constraints are manageable with technology and governance, but not easily. Where peace, equity, and investment are lacking, limits remain severe.

Question 4

‘Increasing wealth is putting excessive pressure on food production.’ With the aid of examples, to what extent do you agree with this view?

Answer 4

1. Yes – Wealthier populations shift diets and consume more

In India, rising demand for meat, dairy, and processed food increases land/water use

Urbanisation leads to arable land loss and higher food waste

2. Environmental impacts of wealth-driven food systems

Fertiliser and pesticide overuse damages soil (e.g., Punjab)

Groundwater depletion and CO₂ emissions from meat production rise

3. But wealth also enables more efficient production

Mechanisation, better storage, and distribution systems reduce losses

Richer countries invest in climate-smart agriculture and precision farming

4. LICs still face hunger despite low consumption

South Sudan: severe food insecurity due to poverty, not overconsumption

Inequality in global food access more pressing than wealth-driven pressure

Conclusion

Increasing wealth does raise food production pressures, especially environmentally, but the global challenge is unequal access and sustainability—not just affluence.