SCIENCE FIGHTS DROUGHT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 59, 5 April 1946, Page 2

SCIENCE FIGHTS DROUGHT

PEOPLE SAVED FROM STARVATION

MADE FAR LESS FORMIDABLE

The recent droughts in the native districts of Bululand and the Transkei Territories of Cape Province were the worst in memory; but Science stepped in to save thousands of people from starvation. In past years a drought in the Transkei, which has a native population of over two millions, left everyone a victim of famine. But the measures taken by the Union Government this year were far in advance of anything previously attempted. In the first place, the drought itself was accurately charted by day-to-day weather reports, and its effects upon crops, stock and human beings were gauged. On this information it was possible to evacuate people r .and animals from threatened areas and to advise native farmers on the prospects of rain.

Other measures included food relief, medical supplies and transport for sick animals. Rice was imported from Madagascar, beans and potatoes from Kenya and Mozambique. Mobile vans supplied fresh fruit and vegetables, tinned foods and milk. Two hundred field cooking centres, equipped by the South African Defence Department, were established to supply hungry children with scientifically balanced meals. In addition, the Department of Agriculture rushed tractors and mechanical ploughing equipment to the areas where late rain fell, thus enabling the natives there to put in crops of pumpkins, maize and beans in time for harvesting next year. Thus have science and planning made drought far less formidable.