PRIMARY PRODUCTION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 March 1942, Page 4

PRIMARY PRODUCTION

AGRICULTURAL PROGRAMME POSSIBILITIES IN WAIRARAPA DISTRICT. VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION POSSIBLE. “In the 1942-43 primary production programme as outlined by the Minister of Agriculture recently, the items which were particularly emphasised included many that must concern, cropping districts like our own,” states Mr N. Lamont, of the Department of Agriculture, Masterton. “A definite undertaking has been given that both petrol and labour will be provided in order to ensure that crops may be sown and harvested. The nature of farming operations is such that the only policy to adopt is to proceed with the long distance planning involved, with every confidence that these plans will be fulfilled. “One of the most prominent items in this programme is the really vital aim of making the Dominion self-support-ing in regard to wheat supplies. Although seriously hampered by a most unfavourable season, Wairarapa farmers have already achieved a very substantial increase in wheat acreage this year over the normal area but present indications are that still more is required before self-sufficiency is reached. This is one aim towards which the Wairarapa can contribute effectively. At the same time, of course, it is undesirable that other cereals, for instance oats, should be sacrificed in favour of wheat and any increase in the latter should be obtained without any reduction in oat areas which, it is stressed, must be maintained. “The growing of garden peas for seed is an industry that appears to be on the increase in this district, and it is, no doubt, a highly important one. It should be born in mind, however, that the export of peas will be conditional upon available shipping space and the growing of this crop should only be undertaken by farmers who have arranged firm contracts with merchant firms. “Linen flax, also, is an item that may concern this district, since the Dominion 1 as a whole has not yet attained the figure regarded as necessary to fulfil our side of the agreement reached with the British Government. Preliminary experiments conducted in the Wairarapa this year have, despite the abnormal season, demonstrated that this crop can be successfully grown on our clay soils and should we be asked to do so, we could embai’k upon this new venture with every expectation of success. “To buyers of potatoes, the shortage this year has been too real to require emphasis and the desirability of increased acreage is apparent to all. This is a crop which is not perhaps suitable for cultivation on a large scale in view of its high labour demand but a great deal can be done to relieve the shortage if everyone would endeavour to grow just an acre or two alongside some other crop. “In view of the growing demand for export purposes, increased production of grass and clover seeds is also required. It need hardly be pointed out, of course, that seed of certified quality only should be considered . “Insofar as the 1942-43 production programme is predominately an agricultural programme, the Wairarapa has an important function to fulfil. We have the soils, the modern equipment, the ,skilled experienced farmers and, usua’lly at any rate, the type of climate that will enable us to make a valuable contribution towards the achievement of the aims outlined by the Minister.