§ Mr. Beswickasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the greatly increased yields in the dry padi areas of Kelantan and Trengganu, Federation of Malaya, which have resulted from the methods of deep ploughing by tractors, what steps are being taken to extend the use of tractors; and, in particular, if any producer co-operatives are being organised to facilitate the use of tractors.
§ Mr. Lyttelton,pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 8th July, 1953; Vol. 517, c. 1229], supplied the following information:
There has not been a greatly increased yield in the dry padi areas of Kelantan and Trengganu as a result of deep ploughing by tractors. The increase in these States has been mainly in the wet padi areas as a result of the use of chemical fertilisers.
Steps are, however, being taken to introduce mechanical cultivation with the use of tractors in dry padi areas, and the Rural and Industrial Development Authority has increased the number of tractors in Kelantan and is proposing to increase the number in Trengganu as growers of dry padi are persuaded of their benefits.
There are no producer co-operatives in either Kelantan or Trengganu, but they have been established on the West Coast and the Commissioner for Co-operative Development is now examining the problem on the East Coast.