2016 brings bumper harvest to Nanyang

Nanyang's agricultural sector performed well in 2016, producing a yield of 5.21 million tons, the second biggest in the city's history.

More than 920,000 mu (61,333 hectares) of extra crops were planted, producing a per unit area yield of 704 kg/mu, according to Nanyang’s agricultural bureau.

At a briefing on Jan 5, the bureau claimed that its programs to exploit high standard grain fields, establish agricultural technology promotion bases, develop farming cooperatives, industrialize the farming process, and provide financial support – contributed to a more stable sector.

Nanyang agricultural bureau holds a news briefing on Jan 5, detailing the development of the agricultural sector. [Photo/dahe.cn]

The city's agricultural area covered by grain fields alone now adds up to 5.5 million mu, and Tanghe county and Wancheng district were listed as provincial demonstration zones for planting.

The implementation of 95 agricultural technology bases located in Nanyang's towns and villages, resulted in only the best seeds being planted, improved quality control, and the treatment of grain diseases.

In 2016, 1,200 new farming cooperatives were established, involving 850 family farms, and agricultural processing firms such as Tianguan Group and Sansege Food, who combined have a processing capability of 11.53 million tons.

Nanyang farmers busy during grain harvest. [Photo/Xinhua]

Government financial support increased to 1.33 billion yuan ($193 million) in 2016, benefitting Nanyang’s 1.85 million farmers, encouraging them to carry out conservation of arable land, and purchase new agricultural machinery.

At the briefing, the agricultural bureau laid out its goals for 2017, which include bringing in a yield greater than 5 million tons, promoting social and economic transformation, and contributing to the fulfillment of the national demand for grains.

Nanyang is a major agricultural region in China. [Photo/dahe.cn]