tuesday, wptember 11, 1970
dally nebraskan
page 7
Moroccan climate
hinders fanners
v ; By Alice Hrnlcck
i' . ".,, ' '
With a population four times that of Nebraska
squeezed Into an area with less than half its land
space, the central region of Morocco suffers severe
economic problems.
The threat to occupying peasants is the expected
doubling of the population by the turn of the
century in a semi-arid climate. ,
. Donald Hanway, a UNL extension agronomist in
the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
said he hopes to tijrn the situation around by in
stituting a dryland farming program similar to Ne
braska's." Last month Hanway, along with two other
members of the Federal Agency for International
Development, traveled to the northwest African
country in a follow-up visit to a 1976 trip.
The trip's purpose was to conform and negotiate
a five-year plan to implement the program which
will include an applied research component,
Hanway reported.
Meetings with the Moroccan government's Mini
stry of Agriculture were conducted to consider the
location of sites for staff and research. A contract
between the country and the Mid-American Inter
national Consortium was drafted and signed, he
added. Headquartered at Iowa State University, the
consortium includes ISU, NU, Kansas State Uni
versity and the University of Missouri.
Research stations will be patterned after NU's
five centers in Mead, Scot tsbluff, North Platte, Clay
Center and Concord, he said. He stressed, however,
that "This is to be their program." The consortium's
involvement will only be a starting point and part of
the plan is to send Moroccan students to the U.S.
for agricultural training.
In order to understand the Moroccan plight, Han
way said, one must realize that the country gained,
its independence only 23 years ago after being
exploited by the French. Farming methods are
primitive, he stated, and often the equipment con
sists of a small plow pulled by donkeys or camels.
Peasants are barely able to maintain a subsistence
living with the scant 6 to 18 inch annual rainfall and
the average 15-acre plot, he noted.
'If we can help them through the establishment
of an, applied research program which would use the
limited moisture to the best advantage, we can help
them improve production,' he added.
Currently, Morocco imports wheat. In the wetter
north central region, wheat is grown, but in the dry
south only barley can exist. Fifty percent of the
people in this central region are 18 years old or
younger and the literacy rate is low according to
Hanway. More than 70 percent of the people are
directly involved in agriculture, with no promise of
this figure decreasing, he said.
Thus, with a rapidly multiplying population,
more people will be forced to farm on a restricted
area of land, he said.
Agricultural schools in the consortium have been
dealing with a similar situation for many years,
Hanway said. "We have background in this area. It
may take time, but Morocco has the potential to
double or triple its harvests," he added.
Hie contract specifies that three Americans will
be working in' Morocco for the next five years with
a number of graduate students working short terms.
The emphasis will be on the needs of peasant
farmers now living under meager subsistence condi
tions for improving the quality of life,' Hanway
said.
Hanway anticipated little difficulty with the
people's willingness to accept new methods.
"If we can show them ways in which to improve
their situation, I believe they will adopt them," he
said.
UPCE entertains
Mark your calendar for a night of free popcorn, a good
movie, and a chance to save some money.
University Program Council-East has released this
year's list of feature length movies they will be showing.
The year will begin Sept. 27 with the presentation of
MThe Groove Tube."
The movie will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Plains
Room of the East Union. Cost is $1.50 per person.
The price is Inexpensive when compared to those of
downtown theaters which charge about $3, said Anita
Johnson, chairman of the UPC-East films committee.
Tm hoping we can get a big crowd, she said. "Last
year's film series went all right, but it seemed as if our
movies came on T.V. or were replayed just before we
showed them
Other films chosen by the film committee include a
Halloween special Oct. 31 that includes Green Slime"
and -Village of the Damned. Nov. 15 and 16, a Mel
Brooks double feature will be presented featuring "Young
Frankenstein' and -Silent Movie. The Sound of Music"
will be the final presentation for this semester on Dec 6.
Movies chosen for second semester will include: The
Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother,"
"Julia, -Magic, and The Kentucky Fried Movie.
Tyesdlay is l0m NigCiiG
Bit
Two-fers on Bar Drinks and Draft 8-10 pm
DALY
LUNCHEON
SPECIAL
plus
Sandwictie's & Salads
Burgers & Seafood
11 am 430 pm
DINNER
Dinner Menu
5 10 pm
Late Night
Menu
10 pm -12 pm
DAILY
HAPPY
HOUR
Two-fers on
Bar Drinks & Draft
430 - 630 pm
Disco at
THE
YACHT CLUB
Wed-Sat 94:00
Chesterfield,
Bottomsley
& Potts
13th &Q Gunny's Bldg.