Agricultural Research

HC Deb 01 June 1965 vol 713 cc1494-5

14. Sir G. Sinclair

asked the Minister of Overseas Development, in view of the need of developing countries to increase agricultural productivity, what steps she is taking to help them in agricultural research, including research into the improvement of basic agricultural techniques of peasant farmers and research into the processing of their agricultural products and into alternative uses for those products, and to help in the training of agricultural extension workers in techniques of communication which have proved successful in agricultural communities at similar stages of development elsewhere in the world.

Mrs. Castle

In the current year British aid expenditure directed towards these objectives is running at about £1,400,000 and supports not only extensive research in Britain on the processing and protection of tropical crops but also helps a diversity of overseas institutions engaged on the problems mentioned in the question.

Sir G. Sinclair

I thank the right hon. Lady for that reply. What steps is she taking to maintain a service of overseas agriculture officers, and what steps is she taking to encourage agricultural institutions in this country to keep two or three staff surplus to establishment for secondment to service with institutions overseas?

Mrs. Castle

If we receive requests from the Governments of developing countries for assistance in agriculture along the lines suggested by the hon. Member we take every possible step to meet their requirements. We are considering the second point that the hon. Member raised.

Sir F. Bennett

Can the right hon. Lady say whether the question of the storage of agricultural products after growth and after crops has been appreciated within this programme, since many agricultural products obtained from tropical countries run to waste long before they are consumed?

Mrs. Castle

This is a subject which will fall within the scope of the work of the research institutions that we are supporting.

Mr. James Johnson

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that all these questions merely confirm her view that the basic need of these territories is public investment, underpinning their economies?

Mrs. Castle

Yes, Sir.