chapter 118

Chapter 118: Farm Busy

After the Christmas celebrations, life in the East African colonies resumed its busy pace. While Europe experienced winter, East African farmers took advantage of the small rainy season (usually from November to December) to work on their fields. During this time, they not only cultivated crops but also focused on dredging rivers, constructing ditches, and improving drainage and water diversion systems.

East Africa's unique climate allows for agricultural activity almost year-round, provided there is sufficient water supply. In regions near rivers, lakes, or areas with abundant rainfall, crops can be grown for multiple seasons each year, making efficient water management crucial.

The farming season in East Africa leaves little time for rest. During the growing seasons, immigrants are occupied with planting and harvesting, while during the slack time, the colonies often organize militias for training or conduct expansion into new territories.

This expansion model in East Africa ensures that both agricultural production and military readiness are prioritized. The militias are usually sufficient to handle conflicts with indigenous tribes, but when dealing with more formidable challenges, the regular army steps in.

While some indigenous people may slip through the cracks and live isolated lives, they find it difficult to survive in the wild without the support of their communities. In East Africa, where resources are allocated efficiently, most aborigines have difficulty sustaining themselves in isolation.

The effective use of firearms by colonial immigrants in East Africa sets them apart from the indigenous tribes. Even though many indigenous people may be skilled hunters, they lack the firepower to compete. In contrast, the colonial settlers' firearms gave them a significant advantage.

The strategy in East Africa is to work together to eliminate any remaining indigenous resistance, preventing them from regrouping. Over time, these isolated individuals are unlikely to find suitable mates for reproduction, effectively ending their tribes.

The annual rainy season is a busy time in East Africa, and the government encourages traditional celebrations like Christmas. However, due to the challenges of managing precipitation, colonists must focus on developing infrastructure to prevent floods, particularly in regions prone to flooding.

Preventive measures, such as dredging rivers and building embankments, are essential to mitigate flood risks. These measures require the collective effort of all colonists. While floods are not a common occurrence, the East African colonies can handle the occasional losses.

East Africa plans to introduce modern tools, such as water pumps and windmills, to improve irrigation systems further. These innovations will increase productivity and reduce reliance on manual labor.

While the East African colonies are not yet ready for industrialization, they can make the most of the agricultural era's advanced tools and practices. This phase serves as a foundation for future industrialization, and Ernst recognizes the importance of establishing a strong agricultural base before venturing into large-scale industrialization.

The East African colonies are making progress by transitioning from a primitive social and economic system to an agricultural one. This progress lays the groundwork for future industrialization and is a significant step toward modernization, even though it may take decades to reach the levels of other developed nations.