SOVIET UNION-Problem of Grain Production-Search for a Durable Solution

March 2, 1985 SOVIET UNION Problem of Grain Production Search for a Durable Solution R G Gidadhubli THE USSR has had a very bad foodgrain harvest in 1984. Although Soviet planners have stopped giving out official figures about foodgrain output since 1982, US specialists on Soviet affairs have estimated the 1984 Soviet foodgrain crop at about 170 million tons against the plan target of 240 million tons. The 1984 output is about 20 million tons below the estimated output of 1983. While this may certainly delight the American grain lobby with the promise of a possible bonanza, the Soviet leaders have reason to be worried about the persistent vulnerability of the country's grain economy to external forces. The Soviet leaders admit that though the situation with regard to meat output is not as bad as with foodgrain production in 1984, meat production estimated at about 17 million tons will not meet the demand of Soviet citizens. Moreover, the shortfall in foodgrain production in 1984 may adversely affect meat output in 1985 unless sufficient grains and feedstock are imported. Thus excepting cotton (nine million tons) and milk and eggs, the agricultural scene with regard to other items is quite disappointing at a time when the XI Five- Year Plan enters its last year.