INDIAN CROPS’ FAILURE

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24798, 12 February 1946, Page 5

INDIAN CROPS’ FAILURE

STILL NO SIGN OF RAIN

HEAVY IMPORTATIONS NEEDED

(Rec. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 10. “The tale of irreparable damage to food crops throughout India becomes steadily grimmer,” says the New Delhi correspondent of “The Times.” “The Viceroy flew from Bangalore to Delhi yesterday through 1000 miles of depressingly blue sky. There was no sign of the rain for which India is gasping.

“The damage to rice and millet crops now being harvested and the fall in collection of wheat, maize, and barley

from last year’s harvest is now estimated to represent the loss of 3,000,000 tons. In addition the present lack of rain is likely to result in a shortage in next spring’s harvest- of wheat, maize, and barley of up to 4,000,000 tons. The grand total of losses is therefore about one-sixth of the average annual production. “The Government estimates that it will need during 1946 to import more than 4,000,000 tons to give a ration of 12oz of food grains a day or 1200 calories. Only 400,000 tons of wheat have definitely been promised. The allocation of rice is expected to be 500,000 tons.”