Comparison of Sources of Income of Jewish/Zionist Mixed Farms in Palestine before 1948 (Nakba), British Mandate: A Survey of Palestine: Volume I - Page 334. Chapter IX: Agriculture: Section 2: Animal Health and Produce.(c) Milk Production : Table 1

CHAPTER IX.

54. No costings have been made of Arab milk production, but, largely on account of the method of feeding and the lower standard of Jiving of the farmers, costs are known to be low in s~ite of the low yield of cattle.

55. The present price for cow's milk paid to the producer varies from 45 mils to 54 per litre according to the distance from the consuming centre, while the price of milk delivered at the consumer's door in the larger towns varies from 62 mils per litre in Haifa to 66 mils per litre in Jerusalem.

56. The production of milk per worker employed on the Jewish farm either producing food for the cows or actually attending the cows compares unfavourably with that of other countries, as is shown in table 3, in spite of the high average yield of cattle.

57. Private farms are producing milk at a lower cost than the co-operative and communal farms, possibly owing to the absence of the stimulation of the profit motive in the case of the latter. The cost of production of Arab milk has never been ascertained but, as has been said above, is much lower than Jewish milk. The production of milk is highest in the period of March to May and lowest in October to December, whereas the maximum demand for fresh milk and perishable milk products prevails during the summer, notably in July/ August.

Table 1.

COMPARISON OF" SOURCES 0>' INCOME OF .JEWISH MIXED FARMS.

%

Milk and meat 40

Poultry products 20

F~ 7

Vegetables and potatoes 22

Fruit and cereals 6

Sundry income

100 %

Notes:-

1. Meat produced on Jewish farms is a direct by-product of milk production.

2. The dung produced consequent upon milk production is essential for the continued efficient production of all agricultural crops including citrus and its value may be estimated at 7% of the sales of milk and meat. Meat production is not an economic proposition on Jewish !arms as the extensive Arab farming in Palestine and neighbouring countries can supply meat much more cheaply than can the Jewish farmers.

3. 25% of the milk production is consumed on the farms.

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