§ 56. Mr. Jannerasked the Minister of Food whether orders have yet been placed with makers of British agricultural machinery for the tractors required for the groundnuts scheme in East Africa; and whether he can give any particulars in this connection.
§ Dr. SummerskillNo. Trials of British tractors are, however, being carried out in Tanganyika, and I hope that later on it will be possible to meet the greater part of the needs of the scheme from manufacture in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. W. Fletcherasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that the yield of groundnuts from virgin soil in the first two years is higher than subsequent yields, he has formed any estimate of the eventual yield of the East African groundnuts scheme.
§ Mr. StracheyAn estimated average yield of 750 lb. of shelled groundnuts per acre has been adopted for the purpose of the financial estimates of the scheme. This is a conservative long-term estimate, which takes into account the possibility that high yields during the early years may not be maintained. No field will, however, be continuously under groundnuts for more than two years and the crop rotation and fertiliser policies to be adopted are being designed to maintain, and where possible to increase, the fertility of the soil.