Without thinking, Ma Defu blurted out: "Of course it's half potato and half corn."
Compared with corn, wheat and other staple foods, potatoes have high yields, relatively extensive cultivation, and are rich and balanced in nutrients. In addition to these advantages, the climate and soil in the Xihaigu area are also particularly suitable for growing potatoes. Haiji County is the famous hometown of potatoes.
.
As early as the beginning of the 20th century, potatoes became the staple food in the Xihaigu area.
However, although potatoes are good, they have a huge disadvantage, that is, they cannot be stored well. Once they are unearthed, they will definitely sprout after being left for two or three weeks. However, sprouted potatoes cannot be eaten because they are poisonous.
After eating potatoes, it is easy to cause vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, chest tightness and other poisoning symptoms.
It is precisely because of this shortcoming that potatoes cannot be sold at high prices locally. It is fine if you eat them yourself, but if you expect to make a fortune from them, it is basically impossible.
Compared with potatoes, the economic value of corn is much greater because corn is resistant to storage and drought. In addition, the water consumption of growing corn is much smaller than that of growing potatoes. For resettlement sites that are short of water, growing corn is obviously a good choice.
A better choice.
Of course, corn and potatoes can also be interplanted together. After all, potatoes grow downward and corn grows upward. The two can completely not interfere with each other. However, the current conditions of the resettlement site are not enough to use interplanting.
The land here has just been opened up, and even if it is brought in black loam soil (one of the main soils in the Loess Plateau, it has good permeability, is rich in organic matter and mineral nutrients, and is especially suitable for growing potatoes), even if there is fertilizer, its soil fertility is still very low.
It is difficult to satisfy both potato and corn cultivation.
Therefore, Ma Defu means that half of the land is used to grow potatoes and the other half is used to grow corn.
"You see, Defu is just as I thought. This land must be used to grow food. Planting caraganas, isn't that a waste?",
The 'caragana' mentioned by Li Dayou is a local shrub, its scientific name is Caragana caragana, which is widely distributed in Mongolia, Ning and Gan provinces. It likes light, is extremely adaptable, and is resistant to both cold and high temperatures. It is a popular shrub in the northwest.
It is an important tree species to create windbreak and sand-fixing forests and soil and water conservation forests in the region.
At the same time, the branches and leaves of Caragana have high grass yield, early buds in spring, and tender branches. Cattle, sheep, and camels like to eat them. In late spring and early summer, even the leaves and flowers are good feeds. Although Caragana has poor palatability,
But in arid and semi-arid areas, having something to eat is better than having nothing to eat.
When the other villagers heard Li Dayou's whirring, they did not immediately agree. Instead, they turned their attention to Li Jie who was standing aside.
The person who suggested planting caragana was none other than their leader, Li Jie.
"Ahem."
Looking at everyone's gaze, Li Jie coughed lightly and spoke.
"Um, let me tell you a few words. I've said it before, why do we need to plant caraganas?"
"As we all know, the Tan sheep here have a unique taste. The meat is tender and delicious. The key is that it is not smelly at all. Moreover, the fur produced by the Tan sheep is white, shiny like jade, light and warm, and is first-class.
A good sheepskin.”
"In addition, Tan sheep also produce wool, which is another source of income. It can be said that our Tan sheep are full of treasures."
"Well, before I came here, I was thinking that since we are here, we must make full use of the environment here to get rid of poverty and make a fortune."
"However, it's difficult to make a fortune simply by farming. We need to do some side business."
"I thought about it over and over again, and I think this sheep is very good. Its meat can be eaten, and its wool and skin can be used to make clothes. The most important thing is that a lamb can be raised for three or four years.
It can be sold for a month, and a simple calculation shows that a sheep can earn at least one hundred yuan."
"We are still very poor now, so there is no need to take too big a step. Our family can raise a few of them every quarter, and we can raise ten or twenty of them a year. Each one can earn a hundred, and ten or twenty of them can be worth one or two thousand."
."
"When we make money, we will expand the number of breeding animals. We will raise 180 animals a year and earn 81,000 yuan a year. Are you still worried that you will not be able to make a living and become rich?"
"Then, here comes the problem."
"Sheep, like people, also need to eat, but sheep are easier to feed. If there is grass, they will eat grass. If there is no grass, they will eat feed."
"But on our land, there is no grass for the sheep to eat. Therefore, if we want to raise sheep, we can only feed them."
"Where does the feed come from?"
"Well, I heard that caraganas are used as feed over there in the salt pond. This stuff is better than pasture."
"That's why I suggested planting caragana."
"Now that I've said it, who is in favor and who is against?"
After saying a few simple words, the scene fell into silence again.
Li Dayou's face turned red. Although he was not convinced, he had to admit that the future described by Li Jie was very attractive to him.
Earn 10,000 a year!
In a few years, he will be able to build a new house and give his son Shui Wang a good marriage.
As for the other villagers, they all had expressions of excitement, and they were all attracted by 81,000.
Ma Defu on the side seemed to have some realization, but at the same time, he was also secretly blaming himself.
'Ma Defu, Ma Defu, you have read this book in vain. Why didn't you think of the opportunity that is right in front of you?'
Ma Defu was lucky enough to eat Tan mutton several times after working. Every time he ate it, he felt that the mutton was extremely delicious. However, he never thought that raising sheep could also make him rich.
'No, I have to write it down and report it to Director Zhang later!'
Why does the province engage in diaozhuang immigration?
It's not just to let the people who are trapped in the mountains come out.
What are you doing out here?
To get rid of poverty!
Isn’t it a good way to get rid of poverty right now?
The mutton in Ning Province is absolutely outstanding. Anyone who has tasted Tan mutton will say it is good.
After getting excited, Ma Defu had deep doubts in his heart.
When did my father become so powerful?
Talking about one thing after another, they are simply more powerful than the leaders of the county, no, probably the city.
Is this still his father?
Thinking of this, Ma Defu couldn't help but cast his eyes on the 'dad' who was talking, and looked at him carefully.
This voice, this tone, this appearance, and this dress are all correct. With his eyes closed, he can recognize that this is the father who has raised him for more than 20 years. However, his behavior is not like that of an unread man.
A farmer who has written books.
After thinking hard for a long time, Ma Defu couldn't figure out the reason.
Finally, he gave up.
No matter what, his father's love for him is real. He can realize that everything his father is doing is for him and their family.
————
PS: In the 1990s, Tan mutton was not as famous as it is now (especially after it became popular on the tip of the tongue)