In the past two decades, the pe1fonnance of agricultural production within the Southern Afiican Development Community (SADC) was characterized by sluggish growth rates. Cross-sectional time-series data of 1974 to 1990 were used to examine the factors that detennine total agricultural and food production growth in tl1e region. The results show tlmt agricultural workers, cropped land, fertilizer and use of tractors had significant effects on the regional total agricultural and food production growth. These factors together accounted for between 37 and 41 % of the total variation in food and agricultural production gro\\1h. This suggests that other variables, not included in the models due to data problems do play a very crucial role. TI1ese findings have important implications for improving food and agricultw-al performance in the region. In promoting food and agricultural growth, SADC governments should not only concentrate on improvements in the productivity of the four conventional factors of production, also on other parameters. Other policy-related variables such as producer prices, weather factors, and irrigation and land degradation indices should be given due consideration.