STORY: Western China achieves higher grain yields through production upgrades
SHOOTING TIME: Recent footage
DATELINE: Aug. 9, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:02
LOCATION: CHENGDU, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of agricultural activities in Sichuan
2. various of agricultural machinery
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG TAO, Farmer in Yongfeng Village, Meishan City, Sichuan Province
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WAN FUXU, Farmer in Dayi County, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province

STORYLINE:

In recent years, major agricultural provinces in southwest China, such as Sichuan, Yunnan and Guizhou, have made determined efforts to boost grain production through optimized and innovative production methods.
   
By introducing advanced agricultural technologies and improving land management, these regions have not only effectively boosted grain output but also promoted sustainable agriculture, providing a solid foundation for national food security.

Sichuan, a major grain-producing province often referred to as the "granary" of western China, achieved a 26-year-high grain output in 2023, reaching 35.94 million tonnes.

Farmers in Yongfeng Village, part of the core area of China's western granary, have witnessed a continuous increase in grain production due to the development of agricultural mechanization.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG TAO, Farmer in Yongfeng Village, Meishan City, Sichuan Province
"The mechanization level has been improving. From seedling cultivation to the introduction of rice transplanters and the use of drones for spraying pesticides and fertilizers and finally, to the use of harvesters, the entire process is now almost 100 percent mechanized. This has made rice production more convenient for us."

Sichuan is also a leading province in China's seed industry, serving as a major breeding and production base. Many of the seed varieties cultivated by farmers are the result of technological research and development in the industry.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): WAN FUXU, Farmer in Dayi County, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province
"We participate in seed competitions every year. We usually adopt four to five varieties for plantation promotion in our surrounding areas. With the support of scientific research, the yield of rice production in Dayi County has been lifted from around 400 kg per mu (0.07 hectares) in 2012 to about 700 kg per mu currently. This is exactly a significant leap."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Chengdu, China.
(XHTV)