If you have some family side business or private land, you can still barely make ends meet.
But in this day and age, even the trees in front of and behind houses have become public property, and ordinary people really have no other income. It's not difficult to imagine how poor and miserable they are.
What's even more frightening is that ordinary people seem to think this is normal and have no intention of changing anything.
It seems normal for everyone to go hungry, while those who can afford full meals and fine grains become the outliers.
This is not normal, and it shouldn't happen!
Therefore, Yang Milan deeply realized that it was necessary to change the poor and embarrassing situation of Babaoliang Brigade.
"Dad, there's something I've been thinking about for several days, and I want to talk to you about it!"
Li Tau looked at his son-in-law, filled a pot with tobacco leaves, and asked, "What's the matter? Tell me!"
"Dad, why are we so poor?"
Li Tau took a few puffs of his pipe and said, "Isn't it the same for everyone? There's no reason why!"
However, Yang Milan shook his head and said, "Do you think this is normal?"
"What's abnormal? Haven't we been living this way for years? And I think things have actually been pretty good recently. At least no one has starved to death!" said Li Tau.
But Yang Milan shook his head and said, "I think the lives of ordinary people are still too hard. This is not good!"
"Is it bitter? Why don't I feel it?"
Yang Milan said seriously, "It's true that our family isn't suffering, but look at the other families around us. Is there any family that can store food and eat it from the beginning of the year to the end like we do?"
Li Tau thought for a moment and said, "Not really. Most families have to eat wild vegetables and tree leaves for a month or so, otherwise they won't make it to the autumn harvest!"
"Yes, the people work hard for a year, but they can't even solve the most basic problem of food and clothing, let alone anything else. That's why I think you must come up with a solution!" Yang Milan said.
"Me?"
"Yes. As the village party secretary, you should lead the people out of poverty and into prosperity!"
Li Tau thought for a moment and said, "I've thought about this before, but all the arable land around here has already been reclaimed. There's really nothing more I can do!"
"Have you ever thought about developing a side business?" Yang Milan asked.
"Side business? Are you talking about raising pigs or chickens?"
"You can raise them all!" Yang Milan said.
"Oh, that's too easy to say! Have you ever thought about it? No matter what you raise, it consumes a lot of food. If people don't even have enough to eat, how can there be any surplus food to feed pigs and chickens?" Li Tau asked.
Yang Milan immediately said, "Dad, I have a way to solve the feed problem. I wonder if our team can vigorously develop a side business!"
Li Tau looked at Yang Milan and said, "Do you mean you want the team to raise a few more pigs?"
At present, each production team had its own pig farm, but the scale wasn't large, usually raising no more than ten pigs.
During festivals, the team would usually kill a few and distribute the meat to members, while the rest would be kept and sold during Chinese New Year.
So it wasn't that the production team lacked side businesses, but rather the limitations of productivity meant the scale was very small.
Yang Milan shook his head and said, "No, I mean let the members raise pigs and chickens themselves, while the team provides them with piglets, chicks, and feed. After they sell the pigs and chickens, the members can hand over a portion of the money and materials to the team. This way, people will have more money in their hands, and the team's tight finances will be eased — killing two birds with one stone!"
Li Tau frowned and said, "Let's not talk about whether the policy is feasible or not. Just look at the fact that every household already has a side job. How can the team have so much feed for them?"
"Dad, I told you, I'll solve the feed problem. Just tell me if this is possible!" Yang Milan said.
Li Tau thought for a moment and said, "This is a serious matter. I can't decide alone. I have to discuss it with the leaders of each production team and report to the director and secretary of the commune!"
"Um!"
Yang Milan knew this matter couldn't be rushed, so he nodded immediately.