The Way of a Siluan
Chapter 9: The Imperial Minister of Agriculture
It was not without reason that Emperor Palpatine hand-picked Ry Kyver to be his Imperial Minister of Agriculture. The importance of securing Imperial control over galactic production of food, the one thing no sentient being can do without, was not lost on the new Emperor. Nor was it lost on him that Ry Kyver had skills none of his other minions could offer.
Thought raised as a Jedi, long years of resentment at being assigned to the AgriCorps had cultivated in Ry Kyver a rather nuanced command of the Dark Side of the Force. This, combined with her natural scientific aptitude, allowed her to design new pesticides and genetically manipulate crops simply using the Force, with little need for costly experimentation. What is more, during her days in the hated AgriCorps, she had dreamed up dark schemes and distilled them down to a succinct and rather elegant plan, which now offered the Emperor a way to use agriculture to foster just the sort of galactic domination he dreamed of.
For her part, Ry Kyver was suitably flattered with her new post in the Imperial government. It certainly did not represent the height of her ambitions, but it was a foot in the door to greater power, and she very much looked forward to presenting her brainchild, the Imperial Agriculture Program, at the first meeting of the Galactic Imperialization Committee. Admiral Tarkin, however, was not pleased to see her there.
"Lord Vader, I fail to understand what use there can be in allowing the Ministry of Agriculture, of all things, a place at this table!" Tarkin fumed when Ry Kyver got up to make her presentation.
"I wish to remind you," Vader said over his rasping breath, "that the Emperor is aware of the proposal set forth by the Minister of Agriculture, and desires that it be approved." Darth Vader's words might have silenced others but Tarkin was undaunted.
"The Emperor must understand that the weapon we are constructing will give the Empire ultimate power, and render these agricultural strategies unnecessary."
This, Ry decided, was an excellent opening for her presentation. "Admiral Tarkin," she said sweetly, "even if, and that is a big if, you are able to construct that monstrosity, it will be useful as a threat only against those planets we can afford to lose. And there are some planets we cannot currently afford to lose. Consider for example the planet Ukio."
With a dramatic flourish Ry flicked on the hologram projector and a vivid image of the galaxy's premier agricultural world hung over the table. "Ukio, the breadbasket of the Core Worlds," she continued, "produces 63% of the food consumed in the Galactic Core. The other 37% of the Core Worlds' food supply is produced primarily by four other planets, which also produce the bulk of foodstuffs imported by planets of the Inner Rim. Key planets of the Outer Rim likewise rely on imports from specific hubs of agricultural production. As none of these planets can be destroyed without disrupting supply chains to our own operations, I believe even Admiral Tarkin will concede the impracticality of blasting any of our agricultural worlds into oblivion, even if they were to rebel." Ry Kyver paused to enjoy seeing Admiral Tarkin glower at her with nothing to say. Having relished the moment, she continued.
"The question is, how then can we maintain control over these agricultural worlds? How indeed can we maintain Imperial control over the galactic food supply? Some have suggested a strong military presence on the agricultural worlds as a means to maintain control and thwart rebellion, but such occupation is expensive, and might itself inspire rebellion, which is also expensive. I believe the best answer is quite simple: we control the agricultural planets by controlling the inputs commercial farmers rely on for success."
With the press of another button, the hologram display changed to highlight three far-flung planets, one larger and two smaller. "Let us now consider the planets Phosphor, Yemer, and Krajik" Ry said. "They account for nearly 100% of the galaxy's supply of phosphate and potash fertilizers, without which commercial agriculture as we know it is impossible. The inhabitants of these planets can be easily dominated, and by bringing them under tight Imperial control, we will gain a monopoly over fertilizer supply. In the short term, farmers will find that it is in their best economic interest to cooperate with the Empire. In the long run, gaining a monopoly over all agricultural inputs will mean that we hold all the cards. We can play those cards to reconstruct a food system based on droid and clone farmers, without the need to risk the caprice of free-willed sentient beings running our galactic food supply."
Ry Kyver paused again to survey her audience. They appeared suitable impressed, so she continued. "In closing I would like to highlight one more point: there is now no Jedi AgriCorps. For millenia, farmers have relied on the AgriCorps to use the Force to solve pest and disease problems for them. With the AgriCorps gone, we can fill that gap to our advantage. I have personally developed a new suite of herbicides and pesticides that will earn farmers' trust with short-term yield increases, but ultimately change the ecology of farmland to the point that agriculture is only possible with a supply of chemicals and genetically modified seeds that our Imperial crown corporations alone will provide, again ensuring that farmers' support for the Empire and their success in commercial farming go hand in hand."
As Ry turned off the projector and brought her presentation to a close, Darth Vader raised his hand slightly. "At this time I do not recommend objections to the proposal, which has the Emperor's approval," he said, "but questions may be asked, if you wish."
No one chose to speak, and the meeting was adjourned. After all the work she'd put into crafting the Imperial Agriculture Plan, Ry was miffed that no one wanted to ask for further details. The Minister of Finance, however, caught up with her in the hallway afterwards. "I commend your proposal in principle," he said, "but I do have one question. Line 15 of the budget specifies the permanent allocation of a detachment of stormtroopers to the Ministry of Agriculture. What is the purpose? It represents a considerable expense."
"Oh, yes, the stormtroopers," Ry said. "Of course the Imperialization of the galactic food system will include military takeover where deemed necessary. To begin with, there is the takeover of the planet Phosphor," Ry said, and was about to continue when he cut in.
"How in the galaxy do you intend to take over the entire industrial complex of Phosphor with only one detachment of stormtroopers?"
The Minister of Finance was an old acquaintance, and Ry felt free to be a little coy with him, so she smirked, and said, "Just watch me!"