Japan has recently made a remarkable economic growth and her technical aid programs to the countries of South-East Asia have been promoted with enthusiasm.
At present Japan's aids to these countries are carried out under F.A O., Colombo Plan, Reprations Payment Program, loans, etc. Even in agriculture alone there are countless forms of assistance. Yet it seems to me that there is still much room for improvement. Here in this humble essay I should like to discuss the possibility of another form of technical assistance in agriculture i. e. maize culture in the rice producing countries in South-East Asia.
I am trying to make it clear why an increased production of maize rather than rice is especially desired.
(1) Japan's attainment of self-sufficiency of rice
In late years Japan has attained its self-sufficiency of rice as the result of successive bumper years. This was made possible primarily by the swift development of agricultural science and techniques. Studies on genetics, breeding, fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, power machinery, intensive cultivation, etc. are considered to have contributed to the increased production of rice. Such being, the case, the import of rice from abroad is less important nowadays than it was years ago. Maize as a feed, however, is becoming increasingly important in Japan as her agricultural policy is aiming, at agriculture with livestock raising. With the implementation of her agricultural policy the import of maize from abroad has become of vital importance.
(2) It is one side of the progressive directions of Japan's new agricultural construction policy that agriculture with livestock raising as a major side line is strongly desired and promoted. The consumption of concentrated feed-mainly consisted of maize-is increasing year after year but its supply is far from sufficient. The annual production of maize in Japan is only 100, 000 tons and every year she has to import more than 1, 000, 000 tons of maize from the United States, Argentina, Union of South Africa and the countries of South-East Asia. In less than ten years, it is estimated, Japan's annual import of maize from abroad will be doubled or trebled. At present the import of maize from the countries of South-East Asia is very little with the exception of Thailand. If cheaper maize of superior quality is produced in great quantity in Burma, Cambodia and Vietnam with the improvementt of the techniques of cultivation, it will, without doubt, contribute a great deal to promote the trade between Japan and these countries. Moreover, by the cheap maize of superior quality both Japan and these countries will be greatly benefited. Japan, by means of securing large amount of cheaper feed of superior quality, can smoothly promote the program of livestock raising.
(3) Possibility of maize culture in the countries of South-East Asia especially in Indochina and Burma and Japan's cooperation with them.
There is a close relationship between Japan and these two South-East Asian countries both economically and culturally. In fact Japan is now rendering technical and economic assistance to these countries under Reparations Payment Programs, loans, etc. As far as I know her assistance is concentrated on rice culture.
Although there is not enough maize production in these countries to meet Japan's requirement, no measure is yet taken to increase its production. My study of maize culture started from the recognition of this fact. It is roughly summarized in the following:
a. The soil of these countries is suited for the cultivation of maize.
Maize is a stout tropical and subtropical crop. It can be cultivated almost in any soil and no special care is needed for its cultivation. The natural conditions of these countries can be said to be best suited for maize culture.
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