Agriculture in the South Sea Islands

Despite the challenges posed by the near-polar climate, Agriculture in the South Sea Islands is an established and growing industry within the Commonwealth.

Starting in the year 1722, the Government of the South Sea Islands launched a campaign to make the nation completely self-sufficient in food production.

This campaign was launched in recognition of the fact that the islands' location could make them vulnerable to food shortages during extreme weather events or hostile military action.

Background

Both main islands in the Commonwealth experience climatic conditions that make traditional agriculture challenging. Trinity Island (home to the nation's capital, Joseph Town) is located in close proximity to the southern ice cap. As such, the weather makes traditional agriculture almost impossible outside of a narrow summer season. Meanwhile, Grand Wulfram (home to the nation's largest city, Zuid-Richel enjoys milder weather, but its rocky, acidic soil makes it unsuitable for many staple crops.

Development

The emergence of hydroponic technology has been transformative for agriculture in the South Sea Islands. In conjunction with artificial heating and lighting, hydroponic agriculture offered a viable alternative to traditional farming.

Government intervention

The geographic isolation of the South Sea Islands has always made access to fresh fruit and vegetables has always been limited, with prices far exceeding what would be considered normal elsewhere. While the government subsidized imports for public health purposes for decades, things changed rapidly in the year 1722. In July of that year, the Government of the South Sea Islands agreed to subsidize hydroponic greenhouse building on a domestic scale, with the government covering 80% of the costs of setting up a greenhouse in a domestic garden.