12 land. Copra production, to which these coral atolls are well suited, will require seven to eight years from initial planting to production of fruits----should repatriation take place itnin a decade, the islands will enable the inhabitants to become self-sufficient at that time only if agricultural rehabilitation of the atoll begins as soon as possible. On the other hand, if steps for early completion of agricultural rehabilitation are not undertaken before the return of the Bikinians, the U.S. Government will be required to heavily subsidize the livelihood of the islanders until such a time as agricultural crops planted after their return reach maturity. A welfare and relief program, running into hundreds of thousands of dollars, exceeding the cost of a proper rehabilitation program, will have to be adopted over the years until the islands become self-sufficient. At pre- sent the absence of coconut groves and subsistence crops on these islands would make it impossible for inhabitants to eke out a livelihood, notwithstanding the vast amounts of sea life available in the lagoon and sea. gy Department of Ener Historian’s Office t Agricultural Developmen ARCHIVES Agricultural development of the atoll should be centered on towards complete rehabilitati crop cultivation. of all the islands suited to Subsistence crops of breadfruit, pandanus ,' dwarf coconuts should be added in the planting program also. |