Ernst is overseeing frontline operations, while Constantine is working as a toolman in the rear. Ernst has always been a champion of advancing East African industries, with a particular focus on agriculture, the dominant industry in the region.
Currently, East Africa primarily exports a few agricultural products such as sisal, cloves, and pyrethrum. Among these, sisal holds the top position as a year-round export crop in the tropical region, especially in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
However, these cash crops remain somewhat niche. Pyrethrum, for instance, gained prominence due to mosquito repellent products by the Heixingen Daily Necessities Company. It plays a crucial role in preventing mosquito-related diseases in East Africa.
Yet, other lucrative cash crops with broader markets are still in the early stages of development. Coffee, for instance, was first planted in East Africa in 1867, and it's not yet a profitable venture. Rubber and other non-native cash crops followed after 1865.
If these introduced cash crops have long growth cycles, they are currently in the pure investment stage without immediate profitability.
Tea, however, is already in production. East Africa attempted to promote local black tea products in Central and Eastern Europe, but it faced significant challenges.
"Your Majesty the King, these are the teas we brought from the East. We've selected 23 excellent varieties, mainly green tea, along with some black tea. We've also brought in a group of 'professional' tea production experts who can contribute to East Africa's tea development," Agriculture Minister Wiggins explained to Constantine.
Wiggins, an Austrian native, found himself in an unusual position in the East African Ministry of Agriculture. Despite being a major rice-producing nation in East Africa, Wiggins had never encountered rice before. Thanks to the guidance of His Highness Ernst, who championed the introduction of Far Eastern rice varieties, this knowledge gap was filled.
Wiggins once asked Ernst why they didn't learn from India, a country with a long agricultural history and decent conditions, especially for tropical crop farming.
Ernst's response was clear: India, as a British colony, might have become the world's top rice producer, but its agricultural techniques originated in Europe. The British had invested heavily in new water conservation facilities and technologies in India. East Africa had access to these technologies, making it feasible to directly import modern European agricultural practices.
Regarding other cash crops, they did not offer much in terms of technical content. Cotton, opium, and tea cultivation in India were driven by economic factors rather than unique techniques. East Africa had banned opium, and tea was imported from the Far East, making it less appealing.
Furthermore, lower-class Indians working under British rule were often perceived as casual and unproductive in their work. This lax attitude extended to other areas, similar to black laborers in East Africa. Lazy workers remained unproductive, whether under a whip or not.
Ernst's observations were not meant to belittle the people of India and Africa but to highlight the challenges faced in tropical climates. East Africa had a more favorable climate, and compared to black laborers Ernst had encountered elsewhere, the East African workforce was among the most hardworking.
This assessment was mainly based on comparisons with West Africa, as Ernst had limited exposure to other West African countries. Economic and educational factors played a significant role in these differences.
South Africa had initially prospered but declined after black rulers came to power, adopting a culture of obtaining things without effort. Ernst found this concerning. In contrast, Tanzania's economy lagged behind South Africa's, but Tanzanian farmers often struggled to make ends meet, unlike their South African counterparts.
East Africa, despite its challenges, benefited from its fertile land and favorable agricultural conditions. Ernst focused on intensifying farming and maximizing land fertility, drawing from traditional Far Eastern agriculture.
This did not mean copying the Far East model but learning from it. Borrowing even a fraction of its expertise could yield significant benefits for East Africa.
Wiggins' recent trip to the Far East aimed to select tea varieties carefully. He visited key tea-producing regions, including Anhui and Jiangsu in China and Fujian's Wuyi Mountain. These varieties would be crucial in breaking into the European market, especially to compete with popular black tea.
East African tea exports faced challenges because the tea varieties originated in India, making it difficult to compete with British tea merchants in Europe. East Africa essentially sold its tea to Germany, often at a loss due to low labor costs. However, introducing green tea from the Far East and improving its quality could change this landscape. The Heixingen Consortium planned to create a buzz around green tea in Europe and target high-end markets.
Despite this focus on green tea, East Africa would not abandon the black tea market. Wiggins brought back various types of Far Eastern black tea to broaden European tastes. With a diverse range of options, there would always be consumers who preferred East African black tea over Indian black tea.
Though tea-drinking often becomes a habit, East Africa aimed to influence European tastes and expand its tea exports.
[End of this chapter]