Chapter 252: Promoting New Staple Food

"Since the technology to synthesize ammonia is currently impossible, we can only settle for the next best thing. Now growing crops requires the use of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. This has been widely accepted by farmers in the agriculturally developed areas of Western Europe. Your Highness, the quality of the land in Greece is "Poor, if the government wants to significantly increase food production in a short period of time, it must use a lot of chemical fertilizers," Jacob interjected.

"I heard that the Norwegians built a factory in 1905, using the arc method to fix nitrogen in the air. It could be processed into nitric acid, and then neutralized with limestone to make calcium nitrate nitrogen fertilizer. Now it can be industrialized."

"Although it is not as efficient as the German ammonia synthesis technology, it can still solve the nitrogen fertilizer shortage problem in Greece."

Constantine nodded and said, "Then do this."

Then he turned to Emmanuel and said: "There is already a problem with nitrogen fertilizer. Phosphate fertilizer currently mainly relies on superphosphate, which is already a very mature technology. As for potash fertilizer, we must rely on potassium salt mines. This kind of thing is in Greece. There should be reserves. You can contact the mineralogists to start a search in Greece."

While everyone was chatting, several servants in tuxedos opened the door and placed a silver dinner plate and a crystal goblet of scarlet wine on the table in front of everyone.

Afterwards, several servants bowed to signal and filed out.

Everyone's attention was attracted by the food on the silver plate. The bright yellow strips of food and the sticky red jam were a food combination that no one had ever seen before.

Seeing everyone's curious looks, Constantine picked up a French fries, dipped it in jam, and put it in his mouth. A familiar taste spread in his mouth.

While chewing, he showed it to everyone: "These are French fries and ketchup, which are grown in the manor. One of the purposes of inviting everyone here is to taste the joy of harvesting at Sophie Manor."

"As for the wine, it is also made by the winemaker hired by the manor, using the grapes produced from the original vines in the manor."

Constantine raised his glass and signaled to everyone.

Seeing the Crown Prince's warm invitation, everyone tasted the French fries like Constantine.

"This looks like a potato. I didn't expect it to taste quite good after being processed like this."

“A novel way to eat it, paired with tomato sauce, it has a unique taste.”

“First time eating food like this”

Emmanuelle and others naturally understood that Constantine had a special purpose in inviting everyone to taste the food in the conference room where everyone gathered.

"These are potato chips fried in palm oil, and the tomato sauce is made from cooked tomatoes," Constantine explained while everyone was tasting.

Taking a sip of wine and wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, Emmanuel savored the flavor of fried potatoes with tomato sauce and said, "The Crown Prince wants to promote potato cultivation in Greece?"

Constantine did not give a direct answer, but asked everyone with concern: "If this dish is promoted to the Greek people, do you think there will be strong resistance among the people?"

After carefully tasting the taste of French fries, Manougianaski replied affirmatively: "Although the Greek people are used to wheat as their staple food, this kind of food should not arouse the public's disgust."

Constantine stood up, and everyone else followed suit.

Under the leadership of Constantine, everyone came to the fields behind the manor.

It's June weather, the sun is shining brightly, and the fields are full of life.

In the waist-deep field of green potato seedlings, the breeze blows, causing green ripples to ripple and rustle.

Several servants employed by Sophie Manor were sweating profusely while harvesting potatoes.

Seeing the arrival of Constantine and his party, several people put down their work and saluted respectfully.

Constantine took the potato seedling from one of the servants and saw a large bunch of potatoes hanging from the roots of the potato seedling, covered with fresh brown soil.

Constantine showed the potato seedlings in his hand together with the potato tubers at their roots.

"First of all, as you can see, potatoes are very productive. As far as I know, in fertile areas of Western Europe, the yield per hectare (about fifteen acres) can reach 48,000 kilograms."

"Due to the relatively fertile land and careful management of the potatoes in the manor, I estimate that the yield per hectare can reach 40,000 kilograms," Constantine pointed to the potato field and said to everyone.

"If it were in other areas of Greece, even if the quality of the land is taken into account, the yield of 30,000 kilograms per hectare can still be easily achieved."

"The yield of wheat fields grown in Greece is about 4,200 kilograms per hectare, which is several times lower than the 30,000 kilograms of potatoes." Emmanuel groped his chin and sighed in surprise.

"Yes, there is such a big gap. If potatoes were promoted in Greece, wouldn't Greece's food problem be easily solved?" Manougianaski said incredulously.

After that, the rest of the people bent down and picked up the potato seedlings on the ground, watching them and sighing over and over again.

"I have consulted the Department of Botany at the University of Athens, and their feedback to me is that potatoes are very nutritious and very suitable as a staple food for the people," Constantine explained.

"The yield is high and the nutrients are rich. It is indeed a crop that is very suitable for promotion," Emmanuel agreed.

"In fact, Admiral Kontoriotis should have a say in whether potatoes are suitable for the general public," Constantine said to Kontoriotis.

Vice Admiral Kontoriotis defeated the main fleet of the Ottoman Empire in the Aegean Sea Battle that just ended. With his outstanding naval achievements, he was promoted to the rank of admiral by King George.

Seeing that everyone turned their curious eyes to him under Constantine's prompt, Kontoriotis had to explain: "Our navy has long used potatoes as the staple food when warships go to sea."

"Because potatoes can help soldiers overcome scurvy"

"That's not right. I remember that the rumor was about citrus. Sailors who drifted on the sea for a long time were prone to scurvy. By chance, it was discovered that taking citrus could overcome this disease. That's what the newspaper said. Did I remember it wrong?" Emmanuil asked doubtfully.

Cantoriotis patiently explained: "Citrus is of course more effective in preventing scurvy, but it is not easy to store it. It will spoil in a few days."

"But potatoes are different. As long as the potatoes do not sprout and are kept dry, they can be easily stored in large quantities even on the ship."

"In fact, it has been a long time since potatoes can prevent scurvy. In the 16th century, the Spanish fleet that dominated the world had potatoes as the most common food for the crew, but it has never been known to the public."

"When it comes to sailors and scurvy, the world will first think of citrus."

At this point, even if Constantine still did not explain his intention, everyone had already guessed it.

The Crown Prince intends to promote the cultivation of potatoes in Greece to solve the shortage of staple food in Greece; the second is to include potatoes in the military, especially in the army, to provide food for the army.

Constantine went to such great lengths to seek everyone's consent.