Chapter 173: Direction of Agricultural Development in 1869
In 1869, East Africa's agricultural strategy primarily revolved around reclaiming wasteland, with a particular emphasis on border areas. Ernst believed that during the era of industrialization, agricultural regions served as natural buffer zones. They helped maintain the population, ensure border security, and, in times of conflict, were less devastating to lose compared to industrial areas. This approach aimed to avoid scenarios similar to the destruction of industrial regions seen in places like Northeast China and Ukraine. Given East Africa's vast land area, it was crucial to prioritize the development of these buffer zones.
The border areas of East Africa, with the exception of some near Somalia, were generally fertile. These areas included the Rufuma River Basin in the south, the coast of Lake Malawi, the coast of Lake Solon (Lake Tanganyika) in the west, the Mitumba Mountains, the northwest Friedrich (Albert) Lake, and the Omo River Basin in the north. Increasing the immigrant population in these regions also helped isolate the indigenous populations.
In terms of fertility rates, Ernst recognized that immigrants in this era, especially those in the East African colonies, were primarily farmers with high fertility rates. By settling them in border areas, East Africa could manage population growth, whether it expanded inward or outward.
To ensure food security, Ernst had always insisted on planting a variety of staple food crops rather than solely pursuing cash crops for economic gain. This approach aimed to prevent a situation where economic interests took precedence over food autonomy.
Diversifying crops was a key measure to prevent heavy losses from crop-specific diseases or failures, such as the Great Irish Famine caused by potato blight. In 1869, East Africa continued to promote the cultivation of various staple food crops while expanding the introduction of economic crops.
Introducing economic crops was challenging, particularly for crops like tea, which were controlled by their countries of origin. Ernst sought innovative ways to introduce these crops, such as rubber, which originally came from South America. In his pursuit of rubber, Ernst investigated the veracity of claims that Brazil had strict control over rubber exports.
Historically, rubber seeds were obtained from Brazil through clandestine means. In this era, Ernst dispatched agents to Brazil to assess the situation. The information gathered indicated that the Brazilian government's control over rubber may not have been as strict as previously claimed. The chaotic state of South America at the time likely contributed to this situation.
East Africa had achieved considerable success in introducing economic crops, with over 20 varieties of tea being introduced. Additionally, the East African Agricultural Research Institute was actively studying native East African plants for future development.
The development strategy for East African agriculture in 1869 included improving tools and innovations, accelerating livestock breeding, and constructing water conservancy facilities. The high cost of mechanization, coupled with the lack of affordable steam engines, made it impractical to introduce widespread agricultural machinery at this time. East Africa relied on cattle and horses as power sources, which also aimed to reduce dependence on slave labor.
Water conservancy projects were essential for East Africa's long-term development and had already been a focus. The construction of windmills, especially for agricultural irrigation, had been widespread in the latter half of 1868, greatly enhancing irrigation efficiency.
The expansion of agricultural cultivation in East Africa in 1869 depended on the arrival of new immigrants. Ernst recognized that people's energy was limited, and the current productivity in East Africa supported the development of approximately 12.75 mu (Chinese unit of land area) of land per capita. Further land development hinged on the number of new immigrants entering East Africa. Immigrants arriving in December 1868 might still be en route to their designated areas, and only once they arrived could new land be developed, while earlier immigrants continued to manage already cultivated land.