Li Qin frankly admitted, "Grand Commandant, to be honest, the farmers were initially somewhat resistant to this new rice variety and method. After all, farming methods have been passed down for thousands of years, and it's inevitable to have concerns about suddenly changing them. But we adopted a method—we started by persuading respected elder farmers in the village, letting them take the lead in trying it out. When these elder farmers saw the growth of the seedlings during the seedling stage, their attitudes changed significantly, and others followed suit."
The wicked man praised this strategy: "Well done. Farmers trust their own experience and firsthand results most. As long as there are tangible results to prove it, they will naturally accept new things."
After the inspection, the wicked man convened a meeting at the county government office with technical personnel and local officials to summarize the current work and assign the next tasks.
"Currently, the pilot program in Mianchi County seems to be progressing smoothly," said Efu. "However, there are still many crucial aspects that need attention. Water and fertilizer management during the rice growing season is particularly important; water depth should be adjusted according to the growth stage, and fertilizer should be applied in a timely and appropriate manner. In addition, pest and disease control cannot be neglected."
Mr. Chen inquired, "Grand Commandant, the research institute has provided several methods for pest and disease control. I wonder how to implement them here?"
The wicked man pondered for a moment, then said, "We can adopt an integrated pest management strategy. On the one hand, maintain field hygiene and promptly remove weeds and diseased plants; on the other hand, we can try biological control, such as using ducks to kill pests. If a severe infestation occurs, then we can consider using pesticides."
After the meeting, Evil Man returned to Xianyang and reported the progress of the pilot project to Ying Zheng.
"Your Majesty, transplanting work has begun in all ten pilot counties, and overall progress is going smoothly," the wicked man reported in detail. "Based on the current situation, we expect to obtain the first batch of concrete practical data this autumn. If the results are as expected, it can be promoted on a larger scale next year."
Ying Zheng was satisfied with this, but raised a question: "If this is promoted on a large scale, will the supply of seeds become a problem?"
The wicked man was well-prepared: "Your Majesty is astute. Seeds are indeed crucial. The Agricultural Research Institute has already established a seed breeding base near Xianyang, specifically responsible for producing 'Qin Zhan No. 4' seeds. Next year, it can supply seeds for approximately 100,000 mu of land. With the accumulation of experience and the improvement of facilities, production capacity will further increase."
Ying Zheng nodded and then asked, "Will we encounter resistance from farmers during the promotion process?"
The wicked man answered truthfully: "This situation certainly exists. Farmers have cultivated the land for decades, forming fixed habits and experiences. Asking them to accept completely new methods will naturally cause them concern. However, our strategy is to first demonstrate the actual effects through pilot projects, letting farmers see the high yields firsthand. With this direct comparison, most people will naturally accept the new technology."
Ying Zheng approved of this strategy and expressed his continued full support for agricultural reform.
He understood that agriculture was the foundation of the nation, and only by solving the food problem could he plan for a greater future and achieve true peace!
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