Chapter 47: , Reform 3 (Population, Agriculture)

"Food is food to safety first!"
　　 solves the food safety problem. On the surface, it is to crack down on illegal businessmen and provide a basis for the development of monopoly.
　　 Only Ferdinand himself knows that the deeper reason is to accelerate population growth. A country with a population of more than three million cannot become a powerful country.
　　Although no one has ever counted them, Ferdinand can be sure that the number of Bulgarians distributed all over the world will never exceed 10 million. In the entire Balkan region, the current Bulgarian population is roughly between 6 million and 8 million.
　　 Compared with the European powers, during the same period: France has a population of more than 38 million, Germany has a population of nearly 50 million, and Teddy Bear has a population of 120 million. The population of Bulgaria is only 3.5 million, less than one-tenth of the powers above.
　　 Therefore, the population problem is the most serious core problem for Bulgaria to develop and grow in the future. To Ferdinand, every Bulgarian is precious.
　　How to grow the population, Ferdinand thought for a long time, and then conducted a field investigation in Bulgaria.
　　 Due to the stable situation, the rapid domestic economic development, and the stability of people’s lives, Bulgaria’s birth rate has greatly increased.
　　 Bulgaria's birth rate in 1885 was 4.07%, and in 1889 the birth rate had gradually increased to 4.25%; from the statistics of the first half of the year, it can be optimistically estimated that the birth rate in 1890 will be between 4.36% and 4.39%.
　　 And Bulgaria’s population mortality rate: in 1885, the population mortality rate was 2.65%; in 1889, the population mortality rate was 2.78% (including those executed in secret); the population mortality rate in the first half of 1890 was 1.01% (excluding migrant workers).
　　 From the current situation, the Bulgarian folk customs are relatively conservative. The enthusiasm for having children is still very high. As long as economic conditions permit, everyone is still willing to raise a few more.
　　Ferdinand knows that this data has great potential to be tapped. Compared with Russia at the same time: the birth rate of 5.29% of the population in 1864, and the birth rate of about 5% for many years, it is far from it.
　　 The mortality rate is also the same. Compared with other powers, Britain and France are basically controlled at about 2%. If you do not consider the casualties of colonial maintenance personnel, this number is even lower.
　　 But the survival rate of babies, Ferdinand can hardly believe the data of the survey (the author can not believe it). Not too low, but too high.
　　 The statistics are the survival rate of infants who have survived one year old. In 1889, the survival rate of Bulgarian infants was 85.7%; while in the same period: Austrian death was 74.4%, France was 82.6%, and Germany was 77.4%. The countries with the highest survival rates are Ireland and Norway, both exceeding 90%.
　　 Ferdinand before the crossing did not believe that these data were true, but after the actual statistics in Bulgaria, he had to accept this fact. (The above data are from Palgray's statistical chronology)
　　 There is no good way to increase the population, and the traversers can only encourage childbirth. Ferdinand didn't study medicine in his previous life, so he couldn't do anything about it.
　　Medical talents, who are still studying at school, want to improve Bulgaria’s medical level in the short term. Ferdinand said that the traverser is not omnipotent. He is really powerless.
　　 Before Ferdinand crossed, the population of many areas entered negative growth, and many people were not interested in having children. There is only one group eager for this.
　　 Sofia Palace, Minister of Agriculture James Pedinov is being caught by Ferdinand and sprayed: "This is the result of your Ministry of Agriculture, two years of work? Idiot, rice bucket..."
　　 James Pedinov looked at the angry Ferdinand and thought: "It's okay, didn't you always do this! Why is the archduke so angry today, no~~"
　　 Fortunately, Ferdinand didn’t know what James was thinking. Looking at the documents lying on the ground, and looking at James with a blank face, Ferdinand had just suppressed his anger and came out again.
　　 sternly scolded: "Huh! James, you idiot! I ask you, what did you do with the funds allocated to your Ministry of Agriculture?"
　　 James is about to come out in a cold sweat now, and he said with trepidation: "Your Excellency, some of them are used to promote new technologies, and most of the funds are directly allocated to the local government to increase food production!"
Ferdinand sneered and said: "Hehe, James, you idiot, besides the promotion of new technologies, does your Ministry of Agriculture have any results? Grants to local governments, and then? Is it used to build water conservancy projects or to transform agriculture? "
"None! Look what it says? Repair the rivers and strengthen the rivers? The Danube, Maritsa, and Struma rivers, don’t you know the geographical distribution of these rivers? What is it about Montana? , Did the river flood the Stara Mountains?"
"You idiot, even if you want to clean up the river, there are financial allocations. Has there been a report from the local? The money for the construction of water conservancy projects was swallowed up. What is more ridiculous is that my Minister of Agriculture also came out to endorse the moth !"
　　 Hearing this, James was already in a cold sweat. He didn't even notice such an obvious problem. He just treated it as usual. The following report was approved directly without verification, and a huge sum of millions of Lev was wasted by myself.
　　 James said tremblingly: "Your Excellency, this ~ is my ~~ negligence! Please relieve me from my ~~ post!" After speaking, James was deeply relieved.
　　 Originally, his cabinet member did not have much real power. Apart from the Ministry of Agriculture, Ferdinand refused to let him be responsible. James was still a little dissatisfied. Now, only rejoicing is left, "It turns out I am really a waste!"
　　 Ferdinand looked at the decadent James and knew what had happened just now, which hit him a bit hard. After all, he was less than thirty years old and couldn't bear the pressure.
　　 has been given a resignation, but Ferdinand can't let James resign now. He is not Emperor Chongzhen, changing the cabinet can be like a revolving lantern.
　　 A cabinet has been dismissed, and now only a few months have passed. On the premise that no major problems have occurred, Ferdinand does not intend to change before the election of the new cabinet.
　　 "Finally, it seems that the Ministry of Agriculture is not suitable for you. It happens that the government is going to set up a news department. I heard that you used to be a propaganda department, professional counterpart, and you will be the minister in the past!" Ferdinand comforted.
　　 James looked at Ferdinand gratefully. He knew that this was for his face, and the main task of the News Department was to supervise newspapers. His minister is a dispensable existence, and doing everything in accordance with the regulations is basically an idle job.
After thinking about it, James’ book business exploded, and he said excitedly:
Your Excellency, I’m really not suitable for politics. The University of Bulgaria is more suitable for me. Pass my agricultural professional knowledge to the next generation, or do scientific research. It will be more meaningful!"
Ferdinand looked at James, who was angry and youthful, and said helplessly: "Okay! If you want to go, it happens that Bulgaria also lacks agricultural experts. The position of the cabinet is reserved. You cannot As an ordinary scientific researcher, you have to organize scientific research teams and conduct field investigations in rural areas! I hope you will contribute to the development of Bulgaria in the field of scientific research!"
　　 "Yes, Lord, don't worry, I swear in the name of God, I will work hard!" James said excitedly