A demonstration of rice production machinery took place on March 24 in Chaonan District, Shantou, Guangdong Province. The event brought together farmers, agricultural technicians, and equipment suppliers at the start of the spring planting season.
Drones flew overhead, spreading seeds across the fields. Below, tractors and rice transplanters moved through the paddies. An engineer gave a talk on high-yield rice varieties and mechanical planting techniques. Representatives from a local insurance company explained crop insurance policies to farmers.
The district plans to plant around 120,000 mu (8,000 hectares) of crops this spring. Transplanting began on March 12, and about 80 percent of the land has been prepared so far. Local authorities expect the early-season planting to be completed by the first week of April.
In February, the district's agriculture bureau issued guidance for spring sowing, including weather forecasts, planting schedules and seed selection advice. Policy briefings, technical support and supplies have been coordinated alongside fieldwork.
Zeng Zhongjian, a party official at the district's agriculture bureau, described the event as a combination of technical training, operational planning and demonstration. He said the district plans to expand fully mechanized rice planting, integrate machinery with agronomic practices, and promote equipment such as high-speed transplanters and drones.
Efforts will also focus on improved seed varieties, green pest control methods and more efficient fertilizer use. "Technology will be key to increasing yields and raising farmers' incomes," Zeng said.
The Lianjiang River, which runs through the district, flows past the fields where work is now underway.
Author | Feng Huiting
Photo | Nanfang Plus
