Comparisons between a 1930s farming crisis and the problems facing the dairy industry today are being discussed on national radio by a De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) historian.
Agrarian history expert Professor John Martin (pictured above) is featured on BBC Radio 4’s The Long View as the programme examines whether experiences from the past can shed light on current issues.
Prof Martin joins presenter Jonathan Freedland in the debate to be broadcast on BBC R4 at 9am and 9.30pm tomorrow (Tuesday, September 29).
Prof Martin said: “The wheat crisis was sparked by a huge fall in demand for wheat across Europe and Russia, sending prices tumbling. Smaller farmers, in particular, were affected and many were forced to diversify to survive.
“My role in the programme was to put what happened into context and I did a lot of work on the policy of the British Government and others at the time. It was very enjoyable to work on.”
Events during the 1930s are compared to today’s dairy crisis, where the price paid to farmers for milk has tumbled leaving many to consider leaving the industry.
Prof Martin is author of The Development of Modern Agriculture, which examines the changes in farming from the First World War to today.
Posted on Monday 28 September 2015