Chapter 284: Stalemate (Sorry, I was affected after returning from a business trip.)
The meeting between the leaders was quick. The Lin Department had finished its visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and had to rush to other countries.
The president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kabila, only appeared for a moment. It seems that the 35-year-old leader is taciturn and has a calm personality.
He grew up with his father in a hail of bullets. He also had the experience of studying abroad at the China National Defense University, and his performance on the battlefield was extremely heroic.
However, most leaders on the African continent cannot escape their greed for power and wealth.
Kabila will be no exception.
Under his leadership, the Democratic Republic of Congo did not get better and better, but instead became equally authoritarian and corrupt.
However, Kabila still wanted to stabilize domestic development at this time, especially when he knew that Jiahe was going to exchange grain for land, he smiled extremely happily.
So, the leaders quickly set the tone: Sign the agreement quickly, improve the process quickly, and get the food in as soon as possible.
Subsequently, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo took the lead in organizing detailed discussions with three companies interested in agricultural investment, namely, China Reclamation, Central Energy and Jiahe Group.
Jiahe Group ranked last.
Outside an office.
On one side of the long table, the leader of the DRC is Bogdan, Director of the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries.
In addition to this, there is Robert Biela of the Department of Land Affairs.
Guo Yang sat across from Bogdan. After a brief observation, he noticed that some people showed impatient looks.
Isn't it going to delay someone's get off work?
Guo Yang was thinking blindly.
Through Yu Honghai's words and the contact during this period, Guo Yang has a deep understanding of this country's work efficiency and its ability to take cards.
In the past few years, it was a provisional government and its position may still be unstable. However, Kabila was successfully elected through elections at the end of last year, and the situation was relatively stable in a short period of time.
And this should be the first batch of domestic companies to invest in Gang, and it is even one of the best internationally.
But in the past two days, he also inquired about the projects of Zhongken and Central Energy.
It’s really just an aid project. Only the center has more commercial rice cultivation.
No oil or water!
Although Jiahe’s inspection took a long time and the oil palm plantation project was not concealed, the figure of 100,000 hectares has never been exposed to the outside world.
Guo Yang turned his head and glanced at Yu Honghai, only to see him shaking his head slightly, meaning that he had never seen him before.
Most of these people from the Ministry of Land Affairs thought that Jiahe also came mainly for agricultural assistance.
After a while of greetings, Guo Yang also confirmed his judgment and said:
"Director Bogdan and Robert, according to our inspection, Jiahe believes that the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest agricultural country among all African countries. The country with the greatest development potential, this is a paradise for agricultural development.”
Several officials smiled and were very satisfied with Guo Yang’s praise.
Bogdan said: "So, how much will Jiahe decide to invest here? Or will it grow rice?"
"Rice must be planted."
There was a chuckle in the conference room.
Except for the Chinese, it is difficult for rice to be successfully grown here. Therefore, rice has always been a food that only the rich here can enjoy.
“But it’s not just rice.” Guo Yang raised three fingers and said solemnly: “After discussion, Jiahe decided to invest in a total of three projects here.”
“First, in Food cultivation is developed in Kinshasa and Ndjili areas, covering an area of 10,000 hectares. ”
"The second is to build 25,000 hectares of oil palm and fruit tree plantations in Bas-Congo province."
Several people from the Ministry of Land Affairs were instantly attracted to the project.
This area...
Guo Yang continued: "Third, as the company's mid-term development goal, Jiahe intends to develop a 100,000-hectare oil palm plantation project in Equatoria Province."
The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became warm.
Bogdan smiled and said: "This is an attractive number. On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, I welcome your investment."
Robert Bila, Minister of Land Affairs, has a different opinion.
"The Democratic Republic of the Congo is rich in land resources. My friend, I think this number can be a little more imaginative."
Guo Yang thought for a while and said: "If we can obtain it in the early stage With good progress, Jiahe would not mind expanding this number to 1 million hectares.”
1 million hectares?
Bogdan and Robert Bila looked at each other, tacitly understanding that the other party was bragging.
“I believe that the people will be excited when they know this number through national television.” Robert praised, and then immediately changed the subject.
“But why in Equateur Province?”
Guo Yang said: “The climate conditions there are suitable for the cultivation and growth of oil palm.”
“But it is not Safe." There was a hidden meaning in Robert's eyes.
Safety?
Where in the Democratic Republic of Congo is completely safe?
Even in Kinshasa, because of the high food prices, there are many hungry poor people on the streets.
Guo Yang frowned and glanced at the two groups of people from the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Land Affairs.
Bogdan from the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery showed a strange look, but did not stop him too much. Several people from the Department of Land Affairs were obviously headed by Robert.
Guo Yang asked in a deep voice: "So where does Director Robert think it is suitable?"
Robert said: "Kisangani, the capital of Oriental Province, is the largest city in the east."
Guo Yang recalled that Matadi, Kinshasa, Mbandaka, and Kisangani, from the lower reaches to the middle and upper reaches, these four cities are important river port cities in the Congo River Basin.
The area Yu Honghai previously selected is located near Mbandaka in Equatoria Province.
However, downstream of Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur Province, is the world-famous waterfall group. There is also a waterfall group in Bas-Congo Province.
The main mode of transportation between several cities is airplane, but the river between Mbandaka and Kisangani is navigable.
Guo Yang thought for a while and said: "Oriental Province is close to North and South Kivu. As far as I know, there are also mining areas there, and rebellions often occur in the mountains."
Robert used exaggeration He said in a tone of voice: "We have troops there to protect the safety of cooperative enterprises."
In the conference room, the expressions of some black people changed, and Guo Yang noticed it.
Is this an internal disagreement?
Or is it a fight between factions?
Guo Yang thought for a while and then looked at Yu Honghai and the new team members.
Yu Honghai moved his lips imperceptibly, and Guo Yang understood.
“Don’t agree.”
Guo Yang smiled and said: “Director Robert, at this stage, Jiahe’s main task is to prioritize the capture of Kinshasa and Bas-Congo Province. ”
Robert followed closely and asked: "What about the 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantation?"
At least two or three people on the other side were staring at him.
Guo Yang did not show any timidity and said calmly: "We still prefer Mbandaka. When we have results, we will expand to Kisangani. Don't forget, we have 1 million hectares. "The long-term goal."
Robert nodded coldly.
The negotiation of the agreement continued. Guo Yang did not interrupt much, but let the external legal team and Jiahe people go into battle.
It just became more and more unsatisfactory, and Robert could always find various reasons.
“It is understood that in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the price of US$4 per acre of land is already very high, and Jiahe’s offer is absolutely sincere.”
“That’s 25 years.” "The internal situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is not stable."
"No, no, no, that was before. Now the Democratic Republic of the Congo has ushered in peace, and as your president said, the climate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Resources and water conservancy resources are a paradise for the development of agriculture.”
"At least 10 US dollars an acre." Robert said confidently.
"What about the agricultural tax?"
"Collect it as usual."
"What about subsidies? What about roads? What about preferential treatment?" The international lawyer hired by Jiahe asked tentatively, Even Guo Yang was shocked. Isn't this question in vain?
Robert smiled and said: "If you go to Kisangani, you can get more land concessions."
This made Jiahe even more determined not to go to Kisangani yet.
The dispute between the two sides is getting bigger and bigger, and it is even more impossible for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to increase its investment in agriculture.
You can choose cooperation as an investment method, but the Democratic Republic of the Congo cannot get a penny.
During the quarrel, Guo Yang learned that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s investment in agriculture only accounts for 1.3% of the entire country’s GDP.
It’s outrageously low.
This is a country that emphasizes mining and neglects agriculture.
It would be better to invest directly with Jiahe.
The first meeting ended on bad terms.
On the way back in the car, Yu Honghai said: "In fact, we can completely bypass the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs and directly sign a contract with the local chief. The land cultivated by farmers is allocated by the chief, and farmers are responsible for the land they receive. It has permanent use rights and can be passed down from generation to generation. "
"But legally, all the land in the Democratic Republic of the Congo belongs to the country, and the chief is just the guardian." Guo Yang pondered for a while and asked: "Robert just now. Saying that Equateur Province is unsafe, what’s going on with the army?”
Yu Honghai smiled and said: "Almost every one of the top executives and congressmen of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has a warlord behind him. Robert should also belong to a certain ethnic group."
"What about Equateur Province?"< br>
“The chief of Equatoria Province is a warlord himself, but I feel that he has some knowledge.” Yu Honghai said: “We can speed up the process through his relationship.”
The car drove through a residential area, with dilapidated and aging houses on both sides. Garbage was strewn on both sides of the road, and mosquitoes were flying around.
The stomachs of the shirtless citizens had deflated due to hunger, leaving only bones.
Guo Yang was silent for a moment, "Why are we in a hurry? We are not the ones who are hungry."
Yu Honghai was startled.
Guo Yang continued: "Let me know where the ship is. It shouldn't arrive so soon, right? It can take at least ten or twenty days."
The food aid from the state is for According to the International Food and Agriculture Organization, there are so many starving countries in Africa, how much can the Democratic Republic of the Congo get?
Yu Honghai said: "Maybe we can stop at the port on the way for a while, but it will cost more."
"Don't worry if you have more money."
When they returned to the dry farming center, Team Leader Gan and others were still working in the fields with black workers. On the land in Jiahe, dozens of black workers began to burn wasteland. Reclaimed land.
Jiahe’s team in Africa already has more than 20 people, including seven or eight security personnel, who also perform other basic tasks.
There are also three or four scientific researchers, several planting technicians, and several people responsible for the negotiations this time.
There are definitely not enough people.
So it is a wise choice to wait. People from Jiahe will come one after another after the new year.
After returning to the base, Guo Yang went straight to the germplasm resource bank, which was actually a small warehouse.
During this period, some germplasm resources collected previously from the Dry Farming Center, Dadi Company and Yu Honghai were accumulated here.
Guo Yang picked and collected some seeds and put them into the seed store. When he went out, he happened to meet Yu Honghai.
As expected by Guo Yang, it took 40 to 50 days for the aided food to be transported from the Chinese coast to Matadi, a seaport city on the lower reaches of the Congo River.
At present, it will take at least twenty days. If we delay it, it will not be a problem at all for a month.
It depends on who can endure it better.
But Guo Yang might not be able to stay that long. "Lao Yu, is there any way to make an appointment with the chief of Equatoria Province?"
"Do we need to communicate in advance?"
"There are still a lot of things to do in China. I may have to return to China in a few days."
"I'll try my best to make an appointment."
"It doesn't matter if you can't make an appointment. You have to take control of it later." Guo Yang patted him on the shoulder and smiled: "How about it? Can it be done? ”
Yu Honghai was surprised for a moment.
Guo Yang said again: "A man can't say that he is incompetent, or should he say that you are really incompetent and that's why you came abroad?"
"Fuck you..." Yu Honghai thought subconsciously He cursed, but suddenly remembered that this was the boss and took it back urgently.
"It's definitely possible. This hard nut of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be broken down!"
"This is the Lao Yu I know!"
In the next few days, the agriculture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo will The department organized several meetings one after another, and Jiahe was led by Yu Honghai to attend the meeting.
The meeting naturally reached a deadlock.
During this period, Guo Yang was not idle either.
In addition to breeding, he also led Jiahe's technical team to reach a series of cooperation with the Coconut Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences.
For the expert team who traveled thousands of miles from China, Guo Yang naturally provided better conditions, and the communication was naturally smooth.
The two parties will jointly carry out technology research and development and specifically establish a platform for the Congo-DRC experimental station of the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences.
Through research on oil palm plantation soil types, nutrient content, fertilization management, pest and disease damage, ear yield and fruit picking conditions, various technical needs are clarified.
Ultimately supporting the development of oil palm plantations.
At the same time, the international food situation is also deteriorating.
Since 2007, grain stocks have become less and less, but demand has not dropped at all. On the contrary, fertilizer and energy prices have also risen sharply.
Grain prices are naturally rising, and corn prices are growing particularly rapidly.
This undoubtedly exacerbates the food security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In the past few days, armed attacks, riots, and uprisings have occurred many times in the eastern, western, central, and southern parts of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, forcing a large number of refugees to flee.
Even many mining companies were attacked.
Relatively speaking, the capital Kinshasa may be the place with the best security in the country, the political and economic center, with a large number of troops and police from the Kabila government.
There are also numerous international agricultural aid agencies.
Whether it is the development area of farmland, the unit output of grain, or the total output, it is far ahead of other cities.
Although food prices are high and starvation is the norm for the poor, the two violent teams of the army and the police can maintain stability.
The situation in the capital is under control.
The dry farming center is also calm. It is located on the outskirts of the city and has developed a lot of farmland around it. Everyone just closes the door tightly and reduces unnecessary outings.
However, various demonstrations and protests often break out in Kinshasa.
Kabila’s political opponent Mumba, as well as dozens of opposition parties, have criticized the current government’s policies in public from time to time.
(End of this chapter)