ENG-1957 — Page 129

PRIMARY PRODUCTION AND MARKETING

107

The absence of typhoons and frost, and a rainfall of 1,710 mm., although rather unevenly distributed, made growing conditions for most crops as favourable as during the year better 1955-6. Improved cultural methods, including a understanding of balanced fertilizer application, as well as a reduction of losses from insect pests by correct and systematic application of insecticides, increased production. The area under paddy during the season was estimated to be 23,352.79 acres from which 26,748 metric tons of paddy were produced, a decrease of 1,323 metric tons on the amount produced in 1955-6.

166 acres were under water-chestnuts, a crop which is grown principally for export to the United States. This is a decrease of 18.6% on the previous year. The average yield is 50 piculs per dau chung (18 tons per acre) and the cash return $40 - $45 per picul (30 cents to 33.7 cents per lb.). The crop is grown under the same conditions as rice and supplants a part of the second rice crop.

ANIMAL INDUSTRIES

Pigs and poultry are the principal food animals reared in the Colony; cattle are mainly used for draught purposes. A census of the livestock population made at the end of 1956 gave a much higher figure than previous estimates, the increase being in a great part due to improved methods of husbandry and disease control.

Total Census:

Dairy cattle

Brown cattle

Buffaloes

Pigs

Goats

Sheep

Fowls

Ducks

Geese

Turkeys

Pigeons Quails

2,535 14,237

1,912

117,212

340

33

754,900

238,650

20,400

1,385

50,210

17,020