§ 42. Mr. Russellasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the factors which prevent the expansion of maize production in East and Central African territories except at the expense of other crops.
§ Mr. LytteltonAfrican peasants grow most of the maize in East and Central Africa and in general they are already cultivating as much land as they can. Maize is also grown on larger farms, mostly by Europeans, in Kenya and Central Africa. The war-time demand for food produced locally led to the growing of maize at the expense of other and sometimes preferable crops. Higher yields per acre are the key. For this better cultivation is being encouraged and experiments are being made with hybrid maize and fertilizers.
§ Mr. RussellIs it not a fact that large sums of money have to be spent in buying maize not only for this country but for other parts of the Empire, and would it not be desirable to grow much more in the Empire than we are doing at the present moment?
§ Mr. LytteltonThat raises the very wide question of whether other crops are not more appropriate.