Chapter 164 Tractor Industry

With the start of construction of the refinery, Greece is about to become an oil producer.

Then, the development of industries closely related to oil in Greece has entered a countdown.

In 1899, tractors were warmly welcomed by farmers, gasoline prices were very cheap (the original tractors used gasoline engines), and tractors imported from the United States by Greece were very popular. In two years, more than 400 tractors were imported.

These tractors were especially popular in those agricultural cooperatives.

Due to the sparse population in Albania, the Greek government organized more than 20,000 people, some retired soldiers, and most of the young people who wanted to obtain land to enter Albania to reclaim wasteland.

The land area of ​​agricultural cooperatives is large and continuous, so it is more convenient to use tractors when farming.

On April 23, Constantine discussed state affairs with the Prime Minister in the conference room of the Royal Palace in Constitution Square.

"Prime Minister, I heard that the recent land reclamation activities in Albania have yielded a lot?" Constantine asked Alexandros.

In the past two years, as the government personally organized the evacuation of population to Albania, almost no one immigrated to North America.

Those who originally planned to immigrate, after learning about the government's land law, signed up enthusiastically to participate in the land reclamation activities.

"Yes, in the past two years, according to government statistics, about 30,000 Greeks have moved to Albania," Alexandros said with relief.

With the smooth progress of the reform, the Greek civil service system has taken shape, and the phenomenon of high government administrative expenses has been initially curbed. The Greek government's fiscal revenue has increased rapidly. It is estimated that in 1899, the Greek government's tax revenue will reach a record 380 million drachmas.

After the government's financial resources were sufficient, the Greek government strongly supported the reclamation team in Albania and issued subsidies to various cooperatives to help them through the initial difficult period.

"As far as I know, in the cooperatives, tractors imported from the United States are very popular among farmers. At present, the refinery of the Greek Petroleum Company in Feri is about to be completed and will be put into normal operation soon. Is your government considering supporting Greece's oil-related industries?" Constantine said.

Even after Greece's finances were ample, Constantine still did not agree with the army's opinion. Under great pressure, he rejected the army's request to increase military spending immediately.

Europe is currently in a rare period of peace. With the second industrial revolution, the economies of major countries are developing rapidly.

In this case, Constantine decided to use more government revenue to develop the domestic economy rather than the army.

"Your Highness, do you mean to support the establishment of a tractor factory in Greece?" Alexandros said.

The United States, with the world's largest arable land area, is showing terrifying agricultural potential with the help of tractors.

Its vast land has a more urgent demand for tractors than other countries.

At the end of the 19th century, American tractors were not only popular among farmers in the United States, but also shined in the international market. Brazil, Argentina, Russia, France, these major agricultural countries, almost all imported tractors from the United States.

In contrast, since most European countries are densely populated, the demand for tractors is not so urgent, and the development of the tractor industry lags behind that of the United States.

"Yes, you also know that with the increase of agricultural cooperatives, Greece's demand for tractors will further increase," Constantine said.

In fact, Constantine decided to let Greece develop the tractor industry as soon as possible. In addition to agricultural needs, there is also a military factor, that is, the close relationship between tanks and tractors.

If Greece can have a mature tractor industry, then in the subsequent European war, the Greek army will be even more powerful.

Even if the tractor cannot be quickly converted into a tank, it is very suitable to use a tractor to tow heavy artillery or transport weapons and ammunition on the battlefield.

Alexandros considered Constantine's suggestion.

In the past two years, the Greeks have reclaimed 17,000 hectares of land in Albania, almost all of which are the credit of agricultural cooperatives.

Moreover, according to statistics from officials sent by the government to Albania, Albania's land potential is far from being exhausted.

The large-scale increase in cultivated land and sufficient food supply will lead to a drop in food prices in Greece, which is also conducive to the government's policy of encouraging childbirth, making the government's population policy more effective and promoting the rapid growth of the Greek population.

In addition, the oil extraction industry in Greece has developed, so it is more appropriate to support the tractor industry.

Andros is a master's student majoring in machinery at the University of Athens in Greece. He has always been interested in machinery, especially the research on tractors. With the support of the University of Athens, his research has been going smoothly.

When the news that the government intends to support a tractor factory in Greece spread, Andros volunteered to apply to Prime Minister Alexandros.

After receiving the news, Constantine and Prime Minister Alexandros went to the suburbs of Athens in person to watch Andros' tractor demonstration.

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In a farm in the south of Athens, Constantine and the prime minister watched the tractor "da da" sound, dragging the iron plow, and plowing a deep gully on the originally flat land of the farm.

The Prime Minister and Constantine looked at each other, nodded to each other, and then Constantine waved to Andros on the tractor, calling him over.

Andros was born into a large Greek family. His family was originally the Fanar people of the Ottoman Empire (a large Greek Christian family living in Constantinople). After Greece became independent, they immigrated to Greece.

"Mr. Andros, tell us what you think," Alexandros said kindly.

Andros's face turned red. He took two deep breaths and calmed down before saying, "Actually, tractors are not a new thing. After the invention of the steam engine, some people have been trying to make tractors to replace farmers and remove them from heavy work. Free from farm work”

"It's just that because the fuel of the steam engine is coal, it has always been very large, and the tractor made from it is incredibly heavy. Due to the limitation of the steam engine, the steam tractor has never been recognized."

"Since the invention of the internal combustion engine, many inventors have placed their hopes on internal combustion engines because of their small size."

"Well, Mr. Andros, you also know that the government will promote the use of tractors in Greece. This is an opportunity for you," Constantine said.

"Your Royal Highness, we can directly imitate American tractors. For example, the tractors produced by the American Halbert Company, which imports the most in Greece, are very suitable," Andros said excitedly.

"What are you going to do with the matching parts?" Constantine asked.

Greece's domestic heavy industry capacity is weak. With just a tractor factory, it is simply unrealistic for Andros to build a complete tractor parts industry in Greece. Even if the Greek government is willing to provide sufficient subsidy funds, it will not be possible to establish it.

"Your Highness, I plan to import parts from abroad at the beginning and then assemble them in Greece. After the factory has gained some experience, we will organize the production of some key parts, such as gasoline engines. As for other less important parts, According to economic principles, either produce it yourself or purchase it from abroad.”

The Prime Minister, who was quite satisfied with the inspection, agreed that the Greek government would subsidize 4,000 drachmas for every tractor leaving the factory.

At the same time, a loan of 7 million drachmas from the Royal Bank of Greece, guaranteed by the government, was used for the initial capital to establish the factory.

Constantine, on the other hand, found a senior manager with management capabilities from the Greek Steel Factory to help Andros manage the factory.