Farming in World War 2

Agriculture During World War II

Agriculture underwent considerable changes during the war years. Because of difficulties getting food from other parts of the world Britain had to rely on home production and food rationing was introduced. The government encouraged people to "dig for victory" by using every available area of land for growing crops including gardens and parks in towns. With many men away fighting in the war, women had to become a large part of the agriculture workforce.

Key Facts and Figures

Between 1939 and 1944 in England and Wales:

* Arable land increased in area by 63%
* Wheat, barley and potato crops almost doubled
* Oats production rose by two thirds
* Total agricultural workers increased by 22%
* Cattle numbers increased by 6%
* Pig numbers decreased by 58%
* Fowl numbers decreased by 46%
* Sheep numbers decreased by 30%
* Hay production fell by one third
* Tractor numbers increased by 50% between 1942 and 1944.

Acreage of Crops

In June 1939 the agricultural area of England and Wales was 30,251,000 acres. This comprised 15,709,000 acres of permanent grass, 8,934,000 acres of arable land and 5,608,000 acres of rough grazing (of which 1,428,000 was on commons). A certain amount of old grassland had been ploughed up before the outbreak of war under the encouragement of the ploughing grant of £2 per acre. With war imminent, the conversion of grassland into arable land was increased both voluntarily and under directions served by the County War Agricultural Executive Committees.

The arable land area increased by 63% from 8,934,000 acres in 1939 to 14,566,000 acres in 1944 due to conversion from grassland. This compares to the maximum arable area during World War 1 of 12,399,000 acres in 1918.