Battle for Grain

The Battle for Grain (Italian: Battaglia del grano), sometimes known as the Battle for Wheat, was a campaign launched during the fascist regime of Italy by Benito Mussolini, with the aim of pursuing the self-sufficiency of wheat production in Italy. The campaign was successful in obtaining the increase in the national production of wheat and in the consequent decrease in the deficit of the trade balance, but it went to the detriment of other crops, especially those basic for the livestock industry and, in general, the harmonic development of national agriculture.

Benito Mussolini propaganda photo for the Battle for Grain

Aims

Here are some of the policy's aims:

  • Boost cereal production to make Italy self-sufficient in grain
  • Reduce the deficit in the balance of trade
  • Lower the necessity of foreign bread imports
  • Show Italy as a major power

Impact

For conclusion, the Battle of Grain allowed the Mussolini government achieve some gains and also losses. With the increase of grain production, massive dissent was prevented. When Italy attacked Abyssinia (present day Ethiopia), any trade sanctions on food would be futile. The Battle of Grain also had a downside. Some farmers took advantage of the system and made them stationary and found no need to modernize and become competitive. Also, popular and high demand exports, like the Italian wine and cheeses faced a decline due to the Battle for Grain. Battle for Grain was truly a mixed blessings for Italy.[1]

See also

References
  1. Carillo, Mario F. (2020). "Agricultural Policy and Long-Run Development: Evidence from Mussolini's Battle for Grain". The Economic Journal. doi:10.1093/ej/ueaa060.

Sources
  • Celli, Carlo. 2013. Economic Fascism: Primary Sources on Mussolini's Crony Capitalism. Axios Press.
  • Fascist Italy by John Hite
  • Mussolini by Denis Mack Smith
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