§ 78. Mr. Stonehouseasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what plans are in hand for the development of African farming in Northern Rhodesia; what consultations he has had with African political leaders in this connection; and how African farming is affected by the Federal Government's proposal for European farming development.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodExtensive developments in African farming are planned over the next three years. Regional planning in African farming areas is to be directed to establishing more viable farming units thereby helping to stabilise the rural African population. In the Northern Province the production of cash crops is to be developed on an40W intensive basis. The peasant farming scheme is to be extended, and there is to be an increase in animal husbandry activities. A substantial increase in Turkish tobacco production and experiments with various cash crops to assess their suitability for large scale commercial production by African farmers is also planned, and research facilities are being extended for this purpose.
Negotiations on African farming development are conducted in consultation with chiefs and native authorities. There is also consultation with African political leaders through the Legislative Council, where the portfolio for African Agriculture is held by an African Minister. In addition Africans are represented on various farming and agricultural boards and committees concerned with the development of African agriculture. A close liaison on farming development is maintained with the Federal authorities, and there is no apparent conflict in the development of agriculture as between the two races.