When I first read the title of Will Africa Feed China?, I thought the answer was obvious: "Of course not!"
China fed itself throughout the 20th century, so why would it need Africa's food in the 21st century?
China's population has peaked and will decline throughout this century.
Therefore, if China managed to feed itself when it had 1.5 billion, why would it need Africa's assistance when it declines to 1.2 billion (and lower)?
Moreover, China managed to feed itself when it was thoroughly communistic (1945-1978). The exception was during the Great Leap Backward. If it could feed itself under communism with 1.5 billion, it will certainly be able to feed itself under the more efficient market economy with just 1.2 billion (and declining).
In short, I didn't see why one needed an entire book to answer such a simple question.
The reason we do is that there are plenty who believe otherwise. And it's not just pot-smoking conspiracy theorists who think that China is taking over vast tracts of African land to cultivate rice for the Chinese. The Economist magazine has trumpeted stories to that effect.
Indeed, the author, Deborah Bräutigam, meticulously documents all the publications (mainly mainstream ones) that assert this China, Inc. narrative.
Deborah Bräutigam systematically destroys this notion that China is taking over Africa's agriculture to feed its people. Carefully researched and painstakingly argued, the author builds a solid case as to why we need to stop fearing this story.
At the same time, the book hedges itself. It often says, "There is no evidence for such a takeover . . . at this time." In other words, the author isn't claiming that it will never happen. She's simply explaining that for now there is insufficient evidence to argue that case.
So what is China doing in Africa?
The book focuses on agriculture and it seems that China is bumbling through many initiatives in Africa. It's tried many programs. And just like Western aid and intervention has often failed, so has Chinese aid and intervention.
China will continue playing a role in Africa and that role will increase in all realms, including agriculture.
However, it's unlikely that Africa will feed China. Africa can hardly feed itself - it's a net importer of food.
