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Chapter 921 Nanyang's Granary (First update, please subscribe)
Many times, it is not that Li Yian is so far-sighted, but that he can stand on the shoulders of historical giants to guide the direction.

Using Africa as a granary is just a small test. In Li Yian's long-term plan, Africa will also become a mineral base in Southeast Asia.

After all, Africa is rich in mineral resources, which are world-famous in another world. Africa's resources have supported countless European mining companies. After the independence of African countries, those colonial powers continued to exploit Africa's resources and wealth through mining companies and other enterprises.

However, in this era, not many people realize the wealth hidden under that seemingly wild land.

For politicians from all over the world, at best they view Africa from a political perspective.

In contrast, Li Yian is more aware of the economic role of Africa, which seems to be a wild land. Therefore, under his guidance, Nanyang is gradually increasing its investment in Africa.

The grain company's planting base is just one of them.

After complimenting you from afar, they talked about the production of the grain company, from land transformation, construction of irrigation systems to the research and development of large agricultural machinery, basically all the topics related to production.

“…In addition to large agricultural machinery, however, I think we also need to increase research on agricultural biotechnology and develop more high-quality, high-yield varieties.”

Looking at the manager, Henry Zhang said.

"If necessary, we should expand local agricultural research institutes to breed corn varieties that are more suitable for the local area."

His suggestion made Du Changyuan nod in agreement.

"We should do this. Currently, our corn varieties are too dependent on American varieties. It is not a solution not to have our own varieties."

"There is nothing we can do about it. After all, the corn varieties are the best in the United States. In the past few years, the yield of corn seeds in the United States has increased by 6 kg per acre every year."

In fact, apart from the United States, no other country has invested so much in corn breeding, because the United States has the largest corn planting area, and where there is a market there is demand.

Therefore, Kenyan Grain Company naturally chose the American variety with the highest yield in terms of seed source selection, but it still needs to be domesticated locally to further increase the yield. This requires greater investment in technology.

Hins Cheung said.

"But that's why we need to further increase research in this area."

"It's not just about breeding. Research on fertilizers and pesticides needs to be promoted. Agriculture is a science. If we want to ensure food security in Southeast Asia, we must increase investment in scientific research and technology, and this technology refers to all aspects."

On this day, when people in the company were celebrating the plantation's production exceeding 200 million tons, the company's leaders were discussing the future of the company. In fact, what they were discussing was also the future of Nanyang.

Finally, after discussing the production issues, Du Changyuan mentioned a more critical issue - safety. He couldn't help but ask.

"What about security issues? How is the resistance of the local Kikuyu people being dealt with?"

Kenya is not peaceful now. Three years ago, the Mau-Mau movement broke out there, which was an uprising against British colonial rule. Mau-Mau is the name of the movement, and there are different opinions about its meaning. One theory is that when the locals took a secret oath against the British, the children on guard outside the door often shouted "Mau-Mau" as a warning when they found the enemy, hence the name.

Whatever the name, the local uprising was real.

The local turbulent situation naturally had a certain impact on the company's operations, and a considerable part of the company's territory was in the war zone.

"Manager, the British were very determined in suppressing the Mau Mau Movement. Not only did they mobilize the army, but they also carried out large-scale forced relocation of indigenous people in local reservations. More than one million Kikuyus were relocated to "protection villages," which were actually concentration camps for Mau Mau sympathizers. In this regard, they had an immediate effect. A few months ago, British bombers stopped flying because of a lack of targets, and the commander-in-chief of the British East African Army, Gerard Lansbury, had even begun to reduce military forces. It is certain that the local situation is improving, and it will not affect the company's operations."

Zhang Jingxuan is still very optimistic about the situation in Kenya. After all, he just came back from there not long ago and witnessed the development of the local situation with his own eyes. The current situation is gradually stabilizing. "The current turmoil is not a bad thing for us, but a good thing. The migration of the reservation has also left a large area of ​​land idle. We can further expand the land management area. In general, I am still very confident in the British. After all, black people are really not good at fighting."

Zhang Jingxuan's words were full of contempt for the local indigenous people, which was no wonder. After all, the locals were mostly uncivilized. According to the traditional European view, they were more like human-shaped animals than humans. Even a few decades ago, Africans were one of the species exhibited in European zoos.

Victory is inevitable when fighting against such people. There is even some suspicion that the victory is unfair. No one in Europe would think that defeating the blacks is their merit.

Hins Cheung also had no doubts about this.

"That being said, we should still be cautious."

Nodding slightly, Du Changyuan thought for a moment and said.

"If necessary, we can strengthen the local security forces. I think we can coordinate with the Black Knight Company. Their personnel are being withdrawn from India, and we can send a group of them to Kenya to strengthen our forces there."

The Black Knight Company is the largest security service company in Southeast Asia. Most of the collective security forces of the South Asian states are employees of the company, and the Grain Company has always had business dealings with them. Now facing possible security risks, Du Changyuan naturally thought of the Black Knights and used them to strengthen the company's security forces there. After all, many things must be prevented before they happen.

"Manager Du is right. I will arrange this matter, but this will increase the company's local expenses by a lot."

Du Changyuan nodded and said.

"It doesn't matter if the expenses are a bit high. After all, that's our granary! Nothing is more important than ensuring the safety of the granary."

Listening to the manager's words, Zhang Jingxuan suddenly understood the manager's feelings a little.

The granary of Southeast Asia is in Africa!

"I see."

"Actually, what I'm worried about is the future. Britain may be able to control the situation now, but..."

With a long sigh, Du Changyuan said frankly:
"In the long run, the Mau Mau movement in Kenya was only suppressed by the British army with force, but not completely eliminated. Those imprisoned in concentration camps will not give up. We all know that nationalism is a powerful force. Africans will achieve their goals in other ways. Kenya's political situation may become very tricky in the future, so we must have a longer-term consideration."

The manager's words made Zhang Jingxuan twitch his mouth inexplicably and said:

"Manager, you think the British can't control the situation?"

"Controlling the situation requires not only money, but also a firm will and decisive means!"

What firm will and decisive means?

To put it bluntly, you must be ruthless enough!
Du Changyuan shrugged his shoulders.

"Unfortunately, the UK doesn't have one. The Conservatives are in power now, so they will do everything they can to ensure that Kenya does not secede from the UK. But what if it were the Labour Party?"

In an instant, Zhang Jingxuan fell silent, and his expression became more and more solemn.

(End of this chapter)