As the nation speeds up its autumn grain procurement and planting efforts, various regions are embarking on innovative approaches to steadily boost grain production capabilities.
According to the latest agricultural reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, nearly 80% of the national autumn harvest has been completed, with procurement processes also in full swing.
Acting as the primary executor of national grain procurement policies, the State-owned Grain Storage Group has successfully upgraded the intelligent grain storage systems across more than 900 affiliated storage points nationwide. In Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, they have implemented a self-developed intelligent sampling inspection system. This system allows farmers to streamline the process of grain sale and inspection, with automated sampling and testing now integrated. To date, grain enterprises in key production areas have collectively procured over 20 million tons of autumn grains.
Currently, nearly 50% of the winter wheat planting and over 60% of winter rapeseed planting has been completed nationwide. This year, several major production areas have refined their capacity-enhancing initiatives, leading to numerous innovative attempts.
In Anhui Province, the local government has allocated 100 million yuan to promote intensive cultivation practices across the province, establishing 125 demonstration sites. In the fields of Jintang Village, Yingshang County, reporters observed a wheat seeder equipped with three rows of iron boxes for seeds, fertilizers, and soil conditioners. This modification to agricultural machinery represents a new exploration of green agricultural practices in the region.
Fu Peng, a technology extension officer for agriculture in Yingshang County, shared, “This is our first year promoting the use of soil conditioners along with seeds and fertilizers during planting. This approach can reduce chemical fertilizer usage and help ensure sustainable land use.”
In Henan Province, more than half of the winter wheat has already been sown. Due to the adoption of dense planting techniques for the previous corn crop, there is now an increased volume of straw left in the fields, which must be managed properly to avoid affecting wheat seedling emergence. In response, Henan has dispatched 18 expert guidance teams to visit villages, households, and fields, providing tailored agricultural technical measures to farmers.
Li Fang, Deputy Director of the Agricultural Machinery Technology Center in Taikang County, Henan, noted, “We are mainly promoting the deep plowing and returning of straw to the fields, plowing to a depth of no less than 25 centimeters. This technique helps integrate seeds with the soil during planting, reducing air gaps and improving seedling quality.”
In You County, Hunan Province, more “winter fallow fields” are being used for rapeseed planting for the first time this year. Historically, rapeseed planting required manual sowing, which was time-consuming and costly, leading many farmers to leave their fields untouched after autumn harvests. This year, the local government has allocated over 10 million yuan in subsidies for quality seeds and new farming equipment, promoting the use of 38 precise integrated seeding machines for rapeseed. This initiative has significantly boosted farmers’ enthusiasm for planting rapeseed.
Kuang Jinnan, Deputy Director of the Agricultural and Rural Affairs Bureau of You County, remarked, “This year, over 25,000 farmers have participated in rapeseed production, achieving a winter fallow field utilization rate of over 84%.”
