Battle for Grain

The wheat Battle ( battaglia del grano ) was a propaganda campaign of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini to become self-sufficient in the field of wheat supply.

Background

For the first time in 1925 was called by Mussolini the " wheat battle". This propaganda campaign to promote domestic products was a direct consequence of Italy's economic situation after the First World War. The Italian economy was largely destroyed, agriculture could hardly achieve sales due to low world market prices. For this reason, we wanted to protectionist measures to strengthen the country 's population, see also Corn Laws in England. Measures to increase the production were, among others, land improvement, fertilizer subsidies, mechanization etc..

"In five to ten years, Italy will be economically independent from abroad. Until then, the wheat battle is to beat, and the rest is to remain silent "

Follow

As consequences of the " wheat battle" was the average yield of wheat increased by up to 20% in the short term. Above all, the farmers were helped by the protectionist measures, especially the rather poor south of Italy could benefit. However, was left other agricultural products aside by the focus on the cultivation of wheat, there has been a huge monoculture farming. The " wheat battle" offered the example for the production battle in Germany, see also Food and Agriculture in the Third Reich.