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Countries should further consider which crop under their own particular circumstances (whether grain, sugar-beet, pulses, oil-seeds, or potatoes) will produce the maximum amount of food per acre for general distribution to> consumers and endeavour to adjust their agricultural policies accordingly. In returns to be made to FAO, full information regarding proposed production programmes should be supplied as soon as possible. (2) Rice Rice is a food of the utmost importance, since it is the staple cereal of' Far Eastern countries, whose populations constitute more than half of the world's total population. The decline in production which the war has; brought about in certain countries emphasizes the need to stimulate increase' in production, both in importing countries such as India and China, which produce large quantities of rice for their own consumption, and in theexporting countries. Among the methods of achieving this in the latter is the provision of simple necessities of life which are beyond the cultivator'sability to produce for himself, including cotton textiles and thread, edible oils and fats, medicines, fishing nets and hooks, &c. Such consumer goods, provide an incentive to the cultivator to increase production, and if they are not available money will by itself be no inducement. Agricultural implements,, barges for transport, pumping units, and spare parts for milling machinery are also urgently required to increase production and facilitate distribution.. The Committee recommends — That in order to increase world supplies of rice every effort should be made to supply these needs in rice-producing countries whose overall contribution to world food production can be so great. (3) Agricultural Supplies Recognizing that the mere extention of acreage will not secure maximum production unless special steps are taken to provide producers with auxiliary materials to ensure the greatest yield per acre, the Committee recommends—(ffi) That the farm-machinery industries should be asked for their fullest co-operation in securing the largest possible number of sowing, cultivation,, and harvest machines and, the tools and spare parts for these machines; (&) That, having regard to the importance of tractors, all countries, which have production facilities should be urged to increase their production during the next twelve months and tcT make available for export as . large a number as possible; (c) That the chemical industries should be asked for their utmost help in supplying the maximum quantities of pesticides, including new types'of pesticides recently invented, so that the losses of crops through pests and insects can be kept at a minimum; (d) That every effort should be made to increase the production, to speed up the distribution, and to economize the use of fertilizers, with special attention to arrangements for the maintenance and development of nitrogen plants for the period of the emergency; (e) That priorities should be given to the transportation of fertilizers so that they reach the farms in the appropriate time for dressing and sowing;, and (/) That fertilizers should be used for the production of essential foodstuffs before they are devoted to the production of other crops. Countriesshould report to the International Emergency Food Council as to their fertilizer control and distribution policies and the crops on which fertilizersare being used.

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