ZHEJIANG, 4th November, 2024 (WAM) -- A county in east China's Zhejiang Province has reaped high rice yields and good-quality harvests from terraced fields by applying tech-savvy farming, which is guided and partnered with agronomists from China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI).
According to China Central Television (CCTV), Xianju County, Zhejiang province, has initiated an innovative collaboration with agricultural scientists to enhance the quality and yield of rice cultivated in terraced fields. This partnership aims to develop new rice varieties and incorporate advanced technologies into their agricultural practices.
Experts have contributed their punditry, from seedling cultivation to harvesting, offering comprehensive guidance.
Wang Yaliang is a PhD researcher at the CNRRI who stands at the forefront of the transformative initiative. "The fresh ear of this shorter species weighs around four to five grams, while that of the longer species weighs seven to eight grams. This is already at a high level. Out of these 22 varieties, approximately 10 of them have shown higher yields. Next, I will analyse the quality," he said.
This year, Xianju County has dedicated 86,000 mu (about 5,733 hectares) of terraced fields to rice planting, with 11,000 mu adopting new species with optimised technologies. This strategic shift has not only increased rice yields but has also led to significant economic gains for both the village and the farmers.
"This year, the rice output of Yangfengshan Village is good. We expect 650 kilograms of yield per mu. Therefore, we can increase our revenue by at least two million yuan (about US$29 million) for our village's collective revenue," said Wu Fengjie, a member of Party committee of Zhuxi Town in Xianju.
In addition to agricultural advancements, the local government has facilitated branding and packaging initiatives for villagers and assisted them in marketing rice through online platforms such as livestreaming. These efforts aim to overcome challenges in quality control, sales and coordination, enabling local products to transcend geographical barriers and reach broader markets.