Chapter 332: Rice Seeds
The East African government was displeased with the Boers' covert support for the Ndebele people. Some, including hawkish individuals led by Constantine, wanted to launch an immediate attack on the Transvaal Republic. However, Ernst urged caution.
Ernst argued, "We must condemn the Boers' actions but timing is crucial. If we push the Boers too hard and drive them into the arms of the British, it won't end well for us. So, even if we plan to attack the Boers, we should do it after thorough preparation. We must catch the Transvaal Republic by surprise, not giving them time to react."
Ernst's decision was informed by historical precedents. Historically, the Boers sought refuge with the British when faced with pressure from the Zulu Kingdom, despite the Zulus having British support. This eventually led to the Second Boer War, driven by a dispute over interests. The Boers resisted the British but knew how to choose their allies wisely when threatened.
The Kingdom of East Africa decided to prepare for war first. They would question the Republic of Transvaal at the end of the year and then launch a surprise attack without giving them time to react. They would use the evidence they had to declare war.
Consequently, East Africa began transferring troops to the Matabele Plateau while turning a blind eye to the Boers' support for the Ndebele people. They continued to increase trade with the Boer Republic to undermine their ruling class. Simultaneously, they increased infiltration and intelligence gathering efforts among the Boers, particularly those with German affiliations.
In June, the Great Lakes region neared its rice harvest season. This region had become East Africa's largest rice planting base, surpassing even the coastal plains. The Great Lakes region's climate favored japonica rice, a variety from the Far East, especially from a place called Shanxi. While the Great Lakes had abundant rainfall and different soil conditions, temperature-sensitive japonica rice was found to grow well there, particularly at higher altitudes.
The climate in the Great Lakes region resembled that of some areas in the Far Northeast of the Far East. Therefore, East Africa chose rice seeds from this region as they were adapted to the Great Lakes environment.
Marcos, an East African rice researcher, recommended promoting the cultivation of this rice variety on a large scale. The rice in the Great Lakes region had fuller taste and was better suited for the Far East market due to a longer growing season and greater daily temperature variation.
Brzeszin, an official from the North Great Lakes Province, questioned Marcos about the differences between the rice grown in the Great Lakes and the coastal plains. Marcos explained that it was a matter of personal preferences, with long-grain rice being popular in the Middle East and India, while steamed rice was favored in the Far East. These rice varieties catered to different culinary habits and preferences.
They discussed the suitability of rice varieties for different markets. The rice from the Great Lakes region seemed more suitable for the Far East market, while the coastal provinces of East Africa catered to the Middle East and Indian markets.
Marcos, while not a rice breeding expert, had been hired as a rice researcher due to his experience. He observed the growth of various rice varieties and recorded data for reference by the East African government. East Africa lacked talent in rice breeding and hybridization, so they imported mature varieties and adapted them to local conditions, resulting in higher yields and better quality.
The Kingdom of East Africa was a diverse nation, and expertise in rice agriculture was limited. Hence, the approach was to introduce mature rice varieties from abroad and adapt them to local conditions for wider cultivation.
(End of this chapter)