World Picture Of Food Production

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23244, 4 May 1950, Page 5

World Picture Of Food Production

(10 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 3. Widespread starvation might result from severe crop failures in China, the Food and Agriculture Organisation reported last night. A survey of global food conditions showed that large areas in the Yellow River and Yangtse' Valleys had suffered serious floods last year. Parts of North China were badly hit by drought. Relief from the new rice and wheat harvest could not be expected until the middle of the year. Dealing with surpluses, the F.A.O. said the United States wheat carryover had increased for two years and exports this season had been significantly lower.

Canada was meeting increasing difficulties finding export markets mainly because of Britain’s cut in dollar purchases.

World food production was steadily rising, said the F.A.O. Major crops in 1949, excluding Russia, fell 3 per cent short of 1948, which was an exceptionally good weather year. However, the average was slightly better than 1947-48,

The F.A.O. said that crop production per head of world population was almost back to pre-war levels, but the present rate of recovery was barely more than keeping pace with the population growth. The F.A.O. said that North American farm programmes were now being restricted despite chronic shortages elsewhere in the world. “Millions of people may suffer and die from starvation as now in China.” A report will be submitted to the F.A.O. council at a meeting in Rome on Monday.