9 A Good Yield

POV - Janick Kastelein, Minister of Agriculture

[Day 1, March 2002, 1pm]

Lost in a reverie about the ideal crops for selective breeding and genetic enhancement, my thoughts wandered amidst the possibilities. Suddenly, a ripple of movement surged through the room, jolting me back to attention. The Governor must be departing, I surmised, as the assembly rose in unison.

Relief washed over me as the meeting drew to a close. Despite the importance of the discussions, the monotony had stretched on endlessly. Finally, it was time to escape the tedium and delve back into the world of agricultural innovation that ignited my passion.

"Why me?" I questioned inwardly, perplexed by the Chief's decision to appoint me as Minister to the General. Surely, there were others better suited for the role. All I desired was to immerse myself in the experimentation and advancement of crop cultivation techniques.

If my hearing served me right, the Ministry would be granted $10 million not only for cultivation endeavors but also for specialized crop research. The prospect of delving into innovative agricultural practices ignited a spark of excitement within me.

Stepping out of the council room, I couldn't help but notice Jordan once again embroiled in his efforts to undermine Sara, oblivious to the pressing matters facing our region. His energy would be better spent on safeguarding our community rather than fueling these petty conflicts.

Observing further, I couldn't help but notice the Governor's unperturbed demeanor in the face of Jordan's tirade. Then, Shaav emerged, his complexion drained of color compared to his appearance inside. It seemed he had emptied himself of all frustration before confronting the Governor.

Before long, Shaav departed, leaving behind the echoing voice of a woman in the courtyard. Undoubtedly his mother, a warm-hearted soul, albeit occasionally prone to exuberance.

Deciding to return to the Ministry and inspect the Research and Development corridor, buoyed by the influx of funding that promised advancements in crop breeding for our region, I turned to leave. However, before I could take a step, I heard my name called out behind me.

"Minister!" the voice exclaimed, prompting me to turn around to see the Governor jogging toward me. Surprised by the urgency implied by his unusual action, I waited for him to catch up.

"Glad I caught you, Minister," the Governor greeted me breathlessly. "I need to discuss something with you, something concerning plants and farming."

His unexpected approach and the gravity in his tone piqued my interest, signaling that whatever he wished to discuss was of significant importance.

"Of course, Governor, I'm always eager to share insights on plant-related matters, especially if it's important to you," I responded, ready to assist him.

As the Governor caught his breath, there was a noticeable shift in his tone. "I've been delving into a lot of novels lately, particularly those in the Isekai genre, you know, stories where characters die and find themselves in another world," he explained, his demeanor shifting to one of curiosity.

"Ah, I see…" I replied, slightly taken aback by the unexpected turn in conversation. It seemed the Governor was seeking to explore something beyond the realm of governance and agriculture.

"The governor continued, his voice tinged with curiosity, 'In these stories, the protagonists often embark on a journey of agricultural transformation by altering crop rotations from two to three, or even three to four. What strikes me as odd is that these characters, predominantly city-born and raised, lack any prior farming experience. Yet, without much explanation, they readily pursue these changes, and miraculously, in the next chapter, their crops flourish, and food becomes abundant.'"

I listened intently before responding, "So, you're contemplating if such a transformation could take place here in Fahar?"

"Well, wouldn't it be a blessing if it were that straightforward? The ability to ensure everyone's fed and even have a surplus to spare, eliminating the need for anyone to go hungry," The Governor remarked optimistically.

"Don't we all, Governor? If only it were that simple," I chuckled, sharing in the moment of wistful hope.

"That's precisely what I thought too," the Governor replied, laughter punctuating his words as we shared a brief moment of camaraderie.

"Well, scientifically Governor," I began to explain before the Governor interrupted, his tone gentle but firm. "Minister, I don't need the scientific breakdown. Just give me the layman's version," he interjected, his focus on practicality overriding the need for intricate details.

"Sure. For example, if you plant crop 1. Now, if you plant the same thing in the same spot every year, it will develop disease, and lead to problems like pests in the soil, and the soil losing important nutrients as well." I simplified. "That's where crop rotation comes in. By planting different crops in succession, you replenish the soil's nutrients and prevent the buildup of diseases. It's a sustainable way to maintain soil health and ensure long-term productivity."

"But I doubt the main characters in your books ever bothered to check if the soil's acidity level was suitable for planting, did they?" I continued. 

"Nope," the Governor replied. "They just plop down any crop, and it will grow with the four-crop rotation system."

"I wish it was that easy," I chuckled, the sound of laughter filling the hallway as we shared a moment of humor.

"If you're curious about the crop rotation sequence commonly used in our region, it goes like this: Rice, Maize, Barley, Sugar Beet, Cumin, and Sesame. 

Rice, hog the nutrient. After we harvest it, we flood the soil to keep weeds at bay and gives the next crop a solid start.

Maize. Use any leftover nutrients and doesn't mind a bit of moisture in the soil. Disrupt pest and disease cycles left behind by the Rice.

Barley, soak up all that nitrogen and improve the soil structure, getting everything ready for Sugar Beet.

Sugar Beet. Being a root crop, it adds a dose of diversity to the rotation and helps break any potential disease cycles. Lucrative cash crop also.

Cumin. Low nutrient needs. Benefit from the improved soil structure.

Sesame. completes the rotation, benefit from the diverse crop sequence and contributing to soil health with its deep root system.

Overall, this rotation isn't just about maximizing soil health and managing nutrients—it's also about staying practical and keeping an eye on what's in demand. Of course, we're always ready to tweak things based on the specific conditions of our soil, climate, local agricultural practices and we have crop supplements"