§ 37. Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to increase the production of the Solomon Islands Protectorate of alternative crops to copra, in particular rice and groundnuts; and what are the 376 results to date of technical surveys financed through the Colonal Development and Welfare Fund.
§ Mr. Rees-WilliamsThe growing of food crops, including maize and tapioca, for local consumption is a first priority, and as the result of an official survey made this year, the Government has decided to launch a three-year demonstration scheme to grow groundnuts for export on a thousand acre farm in Guadalcanal, with rice and other crops included in a three year rotation. Peasant production of these crops is also being encouraged. Cocoa and bananas are alternative crops, but on agricultural and other grounds their introduction is not thought possible at present. Of the two technical surveys so far financed from C.D. and W. moneys, one was abandoned because of the war and the other, which is a survey of forest resources, is now in the report stage.