HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF ECOLOGICAL DISASTER. FAMINE IN RUSSIA 1921-22. FAMINE IN BECHUANALAND 1965,
Abstract
Russia was a predominantly agricultural nation in 1921, with 85% of the population engaged in farming some 250-295 million acres of land in a relatively limited area, the 'fertile triangle' of chernozem soils. Severe drought led to extensive crop failure in the spring and summer of 1921, and this added to the problems created by years of war and revolution in the face of which reconstruction of a viable economic system was only in the beginning stages, resulted in a starvation threat to some 30,000,000 people by late summer 1921. Chaotic postwar conditions, especially the deteriorated state of railways and port facilities, constituted the greatest obstacle to timely distribution of relief supplies. A more recent example of famine is given in the account of that presently occurring in Bechuanaland, Africa. Again drought is the main cause of the disaster. As in Russia, insufficiency of water at critical times is a chronic hazard and is the overriding limiting factor for agriculture.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1965
- Accession Number
- AD0629887
Entities
People
- Jean M. Ingersoll