Government policies fuel agricultural progress

The Ping Sha Rice Base in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province commenced its harvest on July 8. The fields were bustling with 10 harvesters loading tons of rice onto trucks.

Unlike a decade ago, today’s rice farming, from soil preparation and seedling cultivation to transplanting, pest control, fertilization, and harvesting, is predominantly executed with the assistance of machines. China’s policy support and subsidies have enabled the modernization of agriculture.

Contrary to my previous assumptions, rice farming is a highly intricate, meticulous, and expensive undertaking. Individual farmers face numerous challenges. During the pre-sowing stage of seed soaking and sprouting, considerable expertise is necessary to regulate temperatures and humidity for synchronous root and shoot growth. Farmers also need to coordinate activities in alignment with the agricultural timeline.

Natural conditions also present significant obstacles for farmers. For example, reclaiming saline-alkali land and managing heavy metal pollution are tasks that surpass the means of most farmers. The treatment of 100 mu (approximately 6.6 hectares) of saline-alkali land costs over a million yuan (US$140,000). Furthermore, inadequate pest and disease control can result in a total crop failure.

To support the farmers, the Central Government has established special funds offering subsidies of 1,000 yuan per mu. The Zhuhai city government provides an additional 600 yuan per mu to rice planting bases.

There are also insurance subsidies, pest control subsidies, and machinery purchase subsidies, in addition to investments in infrastructure and professional guidance for farmers.

These initiatives have enabled large farms to improve efficiency and turn profits. Thanks to drone-assisted aerial pest control, precise use of pesticides and fertilizers, and mechanized planting and harvesting, rice yields at the Ping Sha Rice Base are consistently rising.

Nevertheless, certain challenges remain unresolved. This year’s excessive rainfall has led to reduced yields. Planthoppers and bacterial leaf blight have also caused damage to a portion of the plants.

Lin Dekun, the manager of Ping Sha Rice Base, is optimistic that technical progress will address these challenges. He said, “Food is a fundamental human necessity. As farmers, we bear a responsibility. We must meet people’s expectations and honor the land entrusted to us.”