Chapter 544 Kui River Arch Dam
Planning a colony is not something that happens overnight and requires preparation. However, in order to prevent unexpected changes, the sooner you start, the better. Colonization is about being shameless. Get it first and solve it later.
This is basically the routine of most colonists, especially the great powers who are best at making rice before cooking, but due to the strength of the colonists, they just pinch their noses and admit it.
…
Farabana is a village in the northern part of Matabele Province (Zimbabwe).
With the key development of Matabele Province in East Africa, Matabele Province has also become more populated. Of course, under the conditions of East Africa, it still looks very empty, and the villages are relatively far apart.
However, the opposite is true around cities. As a relatively advanced system, cities require more division of labor and collaboration, so the villages next to cities are closer.
Although East Africa is vast and sparsely populated, road construction has not fallen behind at all, so transportation is relatively convenient. It would have been really difficult if there were not even dirt roads five or six years ago. However, the good thing about East Africa is that there are few trees. The climate is mainly grassland, which is not too difficult to develop, especially suitable for cavalry activities.
The number of horses in East Africa is not small now, about 800,000. However, compared with such a large grassland area in East Africa, the number is still far from enough, especially compared with Mexico and Brazil, which have the same type of climate. .
Mexico and Brazil both have savanna climates, but the savanna climate area is smaller than that of East Africa. However, the number of horses in Mexico and Brazil is the second and third in the Americas respectively, with the United States ranking first.
The number of horses and cattle in East Africa are not at the same level. This is related to East Africa's agricultural policy.
Currently, East Africa mainly promotes cattle farming. After all, horses were introduced from Eurasia and are not very adaptable to the African climate. East Africa is also actively cultivating its own native horse breeds. When cultivating native horse breeds in East Africa, they also directly import horses from Mexico and Brazil. A batch was introduced.
Cows are easier to feed than horses. The cost of raising cows is lower than that of horses. Farming is an endurance activity. Horses lose fat quickly due to continuous high-intensity farming during the farming season. However, cows only need to supplement enough forage and add some grains, and their endurance is very strong. of.
At the same time, the immigrant nature of East Africa also requires East Africa to vigorously promote cattle farming, because cattle are easier to control than horses. As the saying goes, "lead the cow by the nose", but controlling horses is not so easy. Horses are more delicate and have a fierce temperament, so they need to be raised well. The management is good, the investment is large, and of course, the speed of the horse gives it important military attributes.
Many immigrants from East Africa were considered “absolutely poor” in previous generations, and cattle and horses were valuable property of landlords and noble families. Rich peasants and yeoman farmers might be able to afford them, but such people would not come to East Africa.
Therefore, most of the immigrants from East Africa have no experience in operating large-scale livestock farming. Fortunately, East Africa is a collective agriculture, and there are many people who can use and raise cattle. Evenly, it is not a problem to make do with it. Gradually, it is not a problem. The rest of the people will know it too.
Farabana Village is located deep inland. The policy of replacing slaves with animals has not been fully implemented here. However, in response to the outbreak of animal husbandry in East Africa, some have been allocated and used together with slaves.
The level of rural construction in Matabele is definitely not as good as that of Central Province, but the conditions are no worse than other regions.
The resources in Matabele Province are distributed very interestingly along the central railway, which is the mineralization belt located in the center of Matabele Province. Therefore, once the central railway was opened, it directly opened up the industrial development of Matabele Province. He was appointed governor of the second branch. Relying on three steel plants, Matabele's other industrial development is also relatively good for East Africa. For example, agricultural tools do not need to be transported from other provinces.
The main minerals in East Africa are concentrated, but there are also small mines in other regions, but there are no statistics. Industrial investment in East Africa tends to build large factories, so the industry is distributed by region. Some areas without large mines have steel. Need to be mobilized from other provinces.
In other words, the resource utilization in East Africa is insufficient, but there are advantages to this. After all, small mines and handicraft workshops have no technical advantages and their utilization rate is relatively low. Moreover, East Africa lacks professional talents. Starting large enterprises will be beneficial to the country. manage.
June is the dry season in Matabele Province. During the rainy season, the construction of water conservancy projects in East Africa is also relatively prosperous.
There is also a small water conservancy project under construction in the Farabana Village area, which is the Kui River Arch Dam Project.
Kui River Arch Dam is a type of dam used to intercept river water. However, its function is not to cut off the river, but to build a dam that is neither high nor short in the river bed. The river water will not flow away in vain during the dry season, but the river water will rise during the rainy season. It will flood over the dam and flow into the tributaries of the Zambezi River. Its function is somewhat similar to that of a reservoir, but it does not hinder the flow of water in the river.
"The Kui River Arch Dam project is a project that the superior government attaches great importance to. The Kui River is an important irrigation river in Chisang Town. After three months of hard work, I announced that the Kui River Arch Dam has been officially completed." The mayor of Chisang Town personally I came here to express my condolences to the frontline engineering workers.
“In the future, during the dry season, most of the water in the Kui River will be able to remain in the river channel. It will be much more convenient for everyone to use water during the dry season. At the same time, the Kui River arch dam can also serve as a bridge, making it easier for everyone to travel.”
“During the rainy season, the river will flow through here. If you are in an emergency, you can pass by here. However, if the river is too strong, you must pay attention to safety and don’t try it easily.”
"Village Chief Hans, your village must pay special attention to November every year. That's when the rainy season comes. The water in the river rises whenever it rises. You must pay attention to the children in the village and don't let them play nearby. Not only that, but the government requires Please pay attention to safety in the river area."
Hans: "Don't worry! Mayor, I will pay attention if you don't tell me. I have also been in the army and I know the rainy season in East Africa quite well. I usually respond to the calls of my superiors and educate these new immigrants. I know it well." .”
"Then I can rest assured. Flooding in the river during this rainy season is no joke. Previously, Bumisil Village was repairing the river channel. Due to the sudden flood from upstream, several black slaves were washed away. Fortunately, the black slaves were washed away. Slave, otherwise this punishment will be indispensable."
Hans: “Don’t worry, I will definitely pay attention.”
"One more thing, the Kuihe Arch Dam is built in Qinmen Village, and the future management will be left to you. If you find major problems, report them in time. If minor problems can be solved, you can solve them yourself. The city and town will If you come here from time to time to check the quality of the project, you can’t make a big mistake.”
The mayor of Chisang Town seemed to be serious about what he said. In fact, that's what happened. The projects in East Africa are all made of real materials. The Kui River Arch Dam will not have any problems every ten or eight years. If it is maintained Properly used, it is normal to use it for hundreds of years.
As for inspections by higher-level governments, no one would go to a small place like Farabana Village for nothing, and the mayor of Chisang Town also said that inspections are irregular. This irregularity may be once a year or every few years. .
However, the Kui River Arch Dam affects the entire Kui River. Although the Kui River is a very inconspicuous small river, it has an important impact on the agriculture of Chisang Town. It is not only a matter for Farabana Village itself, but also for Chisang Town. The reason why the mayor takes this project seriously.
(End of this chapter)