Kedar first led him to a flat, open field. In the dim light of early winter, the ground was a soft brown blanket, but tiny green spears were pushing through—each one no bigger than a needle. “This is wheat,” Kedar said, kneeling. “ Gehu . He is the king of winter, but a humble king. He asks for little: a good sowing after the first October rains, a gentle chill, and then—nothing but time.”

Oilseeds grown in winter are essential for the production of cooking oils and industrial lubricants.