Page 114 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

4.

the small export trade In dates to India was lost to Bushire
merchants.
The autumn rainfall was satisfactory and It Is
hoped that the sowings which were above average and eked out by
350 tons of seed wheat from India will produce a good harvest.

Agriculture, however, remains pitifully primitive and
even a small increasd in the scientific methods or even In more
careful working of the land would produce good results. Insecurity

has been a long-rooted cause of bad agriculture in Persia and even
improved seeds and model farms and ploughs will be no substitute
for the settled conditions which are a prerequisite of careful
husbandry.

The changed political situation in Iran enabled
this Consulate to take a direct interest in agriculture for the
first time for many years.

H.B.U. Vice-Consul acted as Consular Liaison Officer
and made a number of tours in the company of the Governor and
Revenue Department officials in connection with the distribution
of seed wheat.
Wages and cost of living.

The cost of living has risen greatly and prices of
foodstuffs have in most cases risen over 200$ as compared with
last year. Shortages of rice, cereals, meat and water have caused

hardship. There was an increase of over 150# in the price of
Indian piece-goods and woollen goods.
Transport

Transport rates increased during the year owing to the
shortage of lorries, tyres, and spares, and were over 100# higher
than last year's average.

No serious efforts were made to organise animal
transport. Though it is true thaA camel and mule breeding has
declined for some years, and that the large scale organisation of
animal transport would therefore be slow and difficult, it is

surprising that merchants have made so little attempt to use animals
for transport. fodder shortages and shortages of animals due td

dearth and to drought have reduced the number of animals availed6
I