International Institute of Agriculture

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 74, Issue 1, 15 January 1947, Page 59

International Institute of Agriculture

By

H. C. A. WARDS,

Orchard Instructor, Hastings.

ONE of the overseas organisations connected with agriculture with which few New Zealand producers are familiar is the International Institute of Agriculture in Rome. This organisation was founded by an international convention in 1905, with 40 signatory States. Subsequent development brought the total of adhering States to 75, which included New Zealand. This article recounts the beginnings, growth, and' work of the institute. The writer had the good fortune to spend two days at the institute, where ,he saw evidence of the vast work carried out and was able to make a brief survey of the magnificent agricultural library.

K/TID-NOVEMBER in Rome can be cold, and the air’was keen with a light early frost as the writer left the warmth of the Hotel Quirinale one morning in 1944. This famous hotel, well known to many thousands of “Kiwis” after it became the New Zealand Club, is one of the finest in Rome. The previous evening an appointment had been made with Professor Longobardi, an English-speaking Italian of great charm and courtesy. The route led along some of the main thoroughfares of Rome, through the Pincio Gate in the City Wall, to the Pincio Gardensa vast park containing a sports arena, the zoological gardens, the famous Borghese Galleries, and many acres of parkland threaded with tree-lined walks and drives. Toward the outer fringe of the gardens is the International Institute of Agriculture, its imposing buildings standing on a rise amid trees and grassed slopes.

The buildings and land surrounding them comprise the Villa Umberto, this being the postal address of the institute. As the institute is international, this area enjoys extraterritorial rights and thus stood aloof from things military. The diplomatic immunity of the Villa was scrupulously observed by both sides during the war. It was stated that the only “military invasion” of the premises by Germany or the Allies was that of individual servicemen interested in seeing something of the institute and its work.

The staff continued with its work uninterruptedly during the war. The main difficulty, which could not be overcome, was that the institute was situated in an Axis country, and therefore cut off by mail from Allied and some neutral countries, and some members of the staff were recalled by their Governments.

Beginnings of the Institute

Toward, the end of the nineteenth century the world experienced a serious economic crisis. As is usually the case, this crisis had wide repercussions on agriculture, eventually inspiring certain people to “get together” in an endeavour to find a remedy. In 1889 an International Commission of Agriculture was set up to plan international co-operation in agriculture. Apparently little was accomplished at that stage, but at a session of the commission in Budapest in 1896 a Californian farmer, David Lubin, put forward ideas which, though seemingly impracticable

at the time, finally bore results in the convention which founded the institute in 1905.

Lubin, formerly a wealthy trader, embarked on a farming career, and soon found that the price realised by farmers for their produce was ruled by the world market and not by local demand. Californian wheat, for instance, was sold at Chicago quotations, which in turn were based on quotations from Liverpool. Manipulation by dishonest speculators was not uncommon, and farmers therefore could not be protected in the open market by their exclusively national crop information.

Lubin felt it was necessary to establish a disinterested service of world agricultural information so that producers, markets, and consumers could have reliable knowledge of conditions of supply and demand. He recognised that agriculture was the backbone of nations, and contended that a world-wide agricultural organisation should become the interest of all Governments.

Lubin’s crusade brought him much criticism, but he remained tenacious and sure of his purpose. Nine years later, in 1905, he received considerable support from a group of Italian economists in Rome, and was invited to explain his ideas to the Italian King. Then, on the invitation of the King, an international conference was called to which many States sent representatives. The sessions began on May 28 and concluded on June 7, when a convention signed by the delegates of 40 States founded the International Institute of Agriculture, to be situated in Rome. Great Britain and Ireland were the only States of the British Empire to sign the original charter, but as time went on Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and India all became member States. Some States, including New Zealand, have since allowed their membership to lapse.

Organisation and Finances

Thus a State can vary its vote power according to the annual subscription it is prepared to pay. At the time that modification was made £1 sterling was worth approximately 25.22 gold francs. Each member State is represented in a general assembly by delegates of its own choice. The general direction of the institute is controlled by the assembly, and the executive body for implementing the work of the staff is the permanent committee. General assembly meetings are normally held each two years, but, of course, the last assembly with a reasonable representation was that of May, 1938. The permanent committee meets quarterly, with a minimum strength of 15. Each member State is entitled to one committee member, but it may be represented by a delegate from another State if it prefers.

The chief executive of the institute is the secretary-general. Under him are the secretariat, the bureaux of statistics, economic and social studies, and agricultural information, and the Library. Forming part of the secretariat is the section of agricultural legislation. The secretary-general is selected by the permanent committee from applicants from all ■countries; he also acts as secretary of the assemblies and permanent committee. It is obvious that a man of extremely wide and varied administrative and scientific ability is required. The staff is international in character, particularly the technical members. Knowledge of at least two languages is essential, and members are recruited by international competition.

The income of the institute is made up of the annual subscriptions of member States, an annual sum of 300,000 lire granted by the King of Italy (pre-war sterling equivalent approximately £3480), interest on, cash bequests and investments, proceeds from the sale of publications, and donations. The annual contribution from the Italian monarch was reserved principally for the upkeep of the Institute buildings. Whether the fact that Italy is now a republic will affect this financial aid is hot known.

Definition of Aims

The aims of the institute were defined by the 1905 convention in the following terms:

“The institute, confining its activities to the international sphere, shall:

1. Collect, examine, and publish, with the least possible delay, statistical, technical, and economic information relating to farming, crops and livestock production, trade in agricultural products, and the prices current on the different markets:

2. Communicate to persons interested all such information as soon as possible; •

3. Indicate the wages paid to farm workers;

4. Record any new diseases of plants which may appear in any part of the world, showing the countries affected by such diseases, their progress and, where possible, any effective measures for their control;

5. Study questions concerning agricultural cooperation, insurance, and credit in all their forms; collect and publish all information that may be useful in the 'various countries for the organisation of systems of agricultural co-opera-tion, insurance, and credit;

6. Submit, should occasion arise, for the approval of the various Governments, measures for the protection of the common interests of farmers and for the improvement of their conditions, after preliminary study of all requisite sources of information, such as resolutions passed by international or other congresses of agriculture, and of science as applied to agriculture by agricultural societies, scientific and learned bodies, etc.”

It will be seen that points 1 and 2 refer mainly to the collection, collation, and dissemination of statistical information. Clause 6 represents the most important work of the institute. Under this heading there is a great deal of activity and consultation for the protection and organisation of agricultural interests, in which a number of countries collaborate. Examples of international conventions based on the initiative of the institute' are the “International Convention of Rome, dated April 26, 1934, for the Standardisation of the Methods of Cheese Analysis,” and the “International Convention of Rome, dated October 31, 1920, for Locust Control.”

Throughout its existence the institute has adhered to the terms of its charter, though adapting its programme of work to changes in world economy. Such conditions have been the particular object of the institute’s attention, from both practical and theoretical points of view.

Important Library

The institute library is one of the most important in the world. In 1940 it held more than 350,000 volumes, and books about agricultural production in all its phases continue to be added to the collection. They are well indexed, and bibliographies are compiled from time to time on

various subjects, particularly those relating- to research in p ant diseases and pests and plant protection. Upward of 4,000 periodicals were being received annually before World War 11, and these are carefully indexed and filed. While looking through this section the writer was able to refer to various New Zealand periodicals, including the “Journal of Agriculture” and similar papers. Ten New Zealand papers were received regularly.

The librarian has been trained in America under the Rockefeller Foundation, and his ability is apparent in the library arrangement. The indexing, both alphabetically and by subjects, is thorough, and a very large and well-equipped reading room is available.

Valuable Publications

A diverse range of publications is issued by the instituteannual, quarterly, and monthly bulletins, as well as miscellaneous monographs and studies. Two important annual publications are the “International Annual of Agricultural Legislation,” published only in French, and containing studies of agricultural legislation of all countries, the texts of the most important laws, and a summary of all legislative measures concerning agriculture; and the “International Yearbook of Agricultural Statistics.” This is the work of the bureau of statistics, and is valuable for study and comparison of data about the principal products on the world’s agricultural markets. It is published in English and French, and has been described as alone justifying the existence of the institute.

Valuable monthly publications are the Bulletins of Agricultural Economics and Sociology, Monthly Crop Report and Agricultural Statistics, Agricultural Science and Practice, and Plant Protection. These are issued separately and also in one volume known as the “International Review of Agriculture.”

World Agriculture Census

No doubt the largest special work carried out by the institute was “The World Agricultural Census, 1930,” comprising five bound volumes in French and English. This publication contains the results of the first and so far the only world-wide agricultural census. In 1924 it was decided that such a census would materially aid the work of the institute and also result in the compilation of more comprehensive data of production than ever formerly achieved.

Much of the preliminary organisation was finished by 1926, in which, year Dean Mann, of Cornell University, U.S.A., was partly responsible for an agreement with the Rockefeller Foundation, which granted a generous contribution toward the expenses of the work. The United States Department of Agriculture also assisted financially and put Mr. Leon Estabrook at the disposal of the institute as director of the census project. A standard form, prepared by a commission of statisticians and agricultural economists, was sent to member States for examination, and it was adopted in an amended form by the general assembly in 1928. Mr. Estabrook then travelled from country to country to give to each Government all necessary explanations and advice and to stimulate the interest of responsible officers. Almost all countries of the world were visited, Afghanistan, Bolivia, Liberia, Paraguay, and Persia being the only sovereign States not included. In addition a few minor colonies were missed. The results of the census were ultimately published in a five-volume work. - A second world census was being planned for 1940, and much of the preliminary work had been carried out when the outbreak of war brought the scheme to a standstill. The institute hopes to carry on with the work as soon as world conditions permit. The work of the institute will inevitably go on, and its accomplishments will be of increasing service to economists and research workers of all producing countries. In the words of Professor Longobardi: “No other

organisation is quite comparable to the institute, which is non-profit-making, non-political, international, official, and scientific. The only element the institute shares in common with all other human works is its inevitable imperfection.”

Taken Over by United Nations

Since this article was written advice has been received that the general assembly of the institute held its last meeting in June. With the establishment of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation the undesirability of two international bodies covering the same field became apparent. At the FAO conference in Quebec in 1945 a resolution was adopted recommending that the duties and assets of the institute and the International Forestry Centre attached to it be taken over by FAO, which would also assume certain powers vested in the institute under a number of international conventions.

The general assembly unanimously adopted a resolution for winding up the institute, and appointed a liquidation commission to collaborate with FAO' to this end and report to the permanent committee of the institute. This committee will remain in operation until the institute is dissolved by a formal announcement to the Governments concerned, which is expected to be made about the end of this year. [For much of the information contained in this article the writer is indebted to Professor Longobardi, chief of the statistical bureau, and Professor Ugo Pa pi, secretarygenera) to the institute.]

IN a war that so clearly showed the vital link between primary pro- , ~ , ~ , ~ . ;+ duction and the arme A rrnv «•“* ? he , NeW ?± n should add to its orgai . vice which gave farmers in the Armed Forces an opportunity to study agricultural subjects. While the results could not be said to have been of direct assistance to the country s war effort, it is certain that the hard work done in their spare time by farmers and intending farmers while on active service with the 2nd N.Z.E.F. will be . of considerable value to the Dominion now that these men have returned to

Army Helped Farmers Study Overseas

the land. The amazing response from both forward and base units to the first notification that courses of study were available indicated the need there was for an education scheme for those men

who, though serving in the Middle East and Central Mediterranean Forces, still -retained their interest in civilian occupations It was unfortunate that it was as late as March, 1944, before ' such a scheme became operative.

Heavy Enrolments The initial enrolments were so heavy that the small staff which then comprised the Education. Rehabilitation Service of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. soon found that it could not cope with the work of marking the large number of assignments. J. A. Sutherland, B.Ag.Sc., the first instructor of agricultural subjects in the E.R.S. Correspondence School, was soon joined by others qualified for this work, and the agricultural section quickly became one of the largest in the school.

The courses were produced by the Army Educational and Welfare Ser-

vice in New Zealand with the assistance of the Department of Agriculture, agricultural, colleges, the Dairy Research Institute, and the Department .>( Scientific and Industrial Research. Each course was made up in booklet form in a size convenient for carrying in battledress pockets or pack. Other courses were later written from textbooks by the E.R.S. staff. A limited number of textbooks were also made available to advanced students. Some of the subjects covered were: Principles of Animal Production, Dairy Farming, Pig Farming, Crops and Cropping, Grasslands of N.Z., Milk. Fruit Growing, Beekeeping, Wool, Cheesemaking, and Farm Bookkeeping. Each booklet in itself was an excellent reference work for any farmer’s library, and a student completing the assignments set down for a course was, if judged successful, permitted to keep the course booklet. Probably some of the booklets are consulted today by ex-servicemen who are engaged in farming.

Supplementary to these courses, an extension service sending out classified information to interested students was maintained. Suitable articles taken from the “N.Z. Journal of Agriculture” each month formed the basis of this service, which gave a steady supply of up-to-date data to those not in the position to see current issues of agricultural magazines.

High Standard of Work

The average standard of work sub-' mitted was surprisingly high. Students comprised all ranks and came from all services. The difficulties of producing written work in the field did not deter some keen students from sending in their regular quota of answers, and some went through most of the available courses by the time they were repatriated.

Though little or no practical work was possible, the theoretical ground covered by those who were keen enough to take advantage of the scheme must now be benefiting them considerably.

REARING DAIRY CALVES.

The laying of a. good foundation for the young animals that will later be the milking herd is of great importance. Methods of rearing calves are fully discussed in Bulletin No. 228. “Feeding and Rearing Dairy Calves,’” which also deals with some calf diseases and the construction of feeding bails and houses. This bulletin is available free from the Department of Agriculture at Auckland, Palmerston North. Christchurch and Dunedin.

Annual Group Votes Contribution (gold francs) I 5 64,000 2 . 4 32,000 3 3 10,000 4 2 8,000 5 1 4,000

The States are classified in five groups, each State choosing the group it desires to join. The present grouping is as follows, these figures being a modification of the original convention as ratified in 1926: —