Irish Agriculture and Nutrition (Linear Programming, Planning, Policy, Social).

Abstract

Agricultural and nutritional policies are major concerns of nations. An analysis of Irish policy and conditions relating to agriculture and nutrition is undertaken to explore these concerns. Irel and 's agriculture has always been central to its economy, and at present its population is healthy and well-nourished. These conditions are the consequences of influences and policies that operated over many decades. The period analyzed in depth is from 1940 to 1970. Prior historical events that had lasting effect are identified. Due to the complexity of the subject, an interdisciplinary approach is employed which considered historic, sociocultural and economic factors. Linear programming is employed as a descriptive tool to merge agricultural processes and nutritional patterns. Irel and experienced major developments during the study period. The population had sustained growth for the first time since the Potato Famine. Health levels and the nutritional status of the population improved. Agricultural production increased, particularly in the late 1950s and 1960s. The industrial sector of the economy, stagnant in the first half of the century, grew rapidly in the 1960s. Irel and 's policies in the 1930s and 1940s were oriented toward self-sufficiency and population development for the most part as a consequence of foreign policy decisions rather than as a part of an explicit domestic development policy. Agricultural production was directed toward the domestic market and the production of a cheap, stable food supply. Social programs were established which improved the health of the population. In the late 1950s, Irel and moved to a more open economy. Formal economic planning was undertaken in 1958; an improved economy followed. The optimization models of the agricultural economy imply that greater return to agriculture would be possible if there is less emphasis on the cattle industry. The factors which contribute to the current level of cattle production involve social and cultural factors in addition to economic considerations explicitly present in the quantitative model. Irel and 's development has taken a course which is significantly different from often proposed development schemes. In Irel and agricultural and population development preceded economic development. Once economic development was undertaken, it was rapid. Development planners may find such a process useful in other countries.