Domestically manufactured combine harvesters, capable of processing 9 to 10 kilograms of wheat per second, were central to the effort. These machines increased daily harvesting capacity to 5.33 hectares per unit, a 30% improvement in efficiency compared to five years ago. Regions capitalized on brief sunny periods early in the summer, adjusting operations to align with crop ripening, which shortened the harvest by two to three days compared to typical schedules.
By June 5, harvesting reached its midpoint, covering approximately 666,667 hectares daily. Despite heavy rainfall, coordinated efforts ensured success. In late May, Henan, Hubei, and Anhui provinces harvested over 6.67 million hectares in five days through interprovincial collaboration. In Jiangsu, facing early June rains, 19,000 dryers processed over 2.4 million metric tons of wet grain to prevent spoilage.
In Shanxi, 99.64% of the wheat harvest was completed by June 24, starting from May 20. The province deployed 351,000 machines, including 16,000 combine harvesters, with a peak of 12,000 harvesters working in a single day to cover 56,267 hectares. Subsidies for equipment upgrades enabled machines to handle over 99% of the harvest and planting tasks.
In Henan’s Huaxian county, farmer Jiang Suxiang noted: “The Beidou-guided unmanned planter ensures uniform and robust seedlings, making management easier and saving labor and time.” In Shangqiu, Henan, intelligent sowing systems with precise positioning improved row spacing, reduced costs, and boosted seedling emergence rates. Guo Dong, a senior agronomist in Henan, stated: “The use of high-performance planters and resilient, high-yield corn varieties this year has laid a strong foundation for future production increases.”
Agricultural drones also enhanced efficiency. In Chongqing’s Jiaopenjing village, 60 plant protection drones improved spraying and reduced production costs by over 15%. Zhu Yubo, an engineer at China Agricultural University, emphasized: “The prompt planting of autumn crops, including rice, corn, and soybeans, after the summer harvest is important to ensure efficient land use and a strong foundation for this year’s total grain output.” He advocated for crop rotation to improve soil health and sustainability.
These advancements support China’s food security goals, ensuring robust grain production through modernized farming practices.
