China advances spring grain planting, expands yield-boosting program

China has completed 16.7 percent of its spring grain planting, with sowing progressing steadily across the country, as efforts are underway to raise crop yields and strengthen food security, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

China is expanding a nationwide initiative this year aimed at increasing yields of grain and oil crops on a large scale. The number of counties participating in the program has risen from 702 to 1,000, while 20 cities have been included for the first time.

The campaign focuses on integrating improved farmland, seeds, machinery and farming methods to boost productivity and ensure more balanced increases in crop output across regions.

Local authorities are applying tailored measures to improve the adoption of advanced farming technologies and ensure better matching between equipment and field conditions.

In Jiamusi, Heilongjiang province, 100 agricultural technology service teams have been formed to promote intelligent and precision farming techniques.

At a 400-hectare farm in Huachuan county, a multifunctional agricultural machine equipped with a variable-rate fertilization system is being used to improve efficiency.

The equipment can form ridges while simultaneously applying fertilizer with precise adjustments, helping improve crop growth, according to the ministry.

China is also adjusting its grain production structure and regional layout this year to improve both yields and product quality, the ministry said.

Authorities plan to expand the cultivation of specialty crop varieties such as strong- and weak-gluten wheat, high-quality rice with improved taste, and fresh sweet corn, aiming to better match production with market demand.