Zimbabwe, anticipation of economic and humanitarian needs : the agricultural sector in Rhodesia

The "land settlement patterns" section discusses the land held by Europeans, by Africans, by national parks, in tribal trust, and unreserved. An analysis of European farms by size is included, as well as land distribution by agro-economic regions. There is a brief discussion by agro-economic regions. There is a brief discussion of the transportation system. Under "agricultural production" there are sections on maize, tobacco, cotton, tea, groundnuts, wheat, sorghum and millet, citrus fruit, and livestock products. The discussion includes productivity and exports and the effects of sanctions on agriculture. Section D makes hypothetical assumptions about events after a change of government. The effects of any exodus by European farmers or reduction in extension services on domestic food supplies would obviously depend on the type of farmers who left and the region most heavily affected. Maize, which is the main staple, will probably raise the prices of food in the south. Estimates of the impact of an exodus are measured in terms of the foreign exchange and wages lost. There will likely be a reduction in the level of beef, wheat, and soybean production and an increased production of fuel-cured tobacco. Citrus fruit, sugar, and tea are unlikely to be affected. Progress in Rhodesian agriculture will depend on improvement of African productivity and this will involve land reform.