Cangzhou Transforms Saline Land into "Golden Granary" through Innovation

Associated Press

29-04-2025

CANGZHOU, China, April 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Xinhuanet:
Cangzhou, a prefecture-level city in eastern Hebei province, China, is leading a major initiative to convert its saline-alkaline land into a productive agricultural hub. Focused on boosting the overall production capacity of these lands, the city is rolling out a pilot development program supported by a comprehensive platform to address long-standing agricultural challenges.
New Farming Technologies Drive Agricultural Modernization
As part of this transformation, a new generation of farmers in Cangzhou is applying modern scientific practices and advanced management techniques to drive the modernization of local agriculture and the development of adjacent rural areas.
By implementing planting methods that emphasize high-density cultivation, labor-saving techniques, mechanization, and standardized operations, the number of pear trees per hectare has increased from approximately 900 to over 2,400. This approach has boosted yields to 45,000 kilograms per hectare, with more than 91% of the fruit classified as high-quality.
Additionally, the integration of navigation systems and autonomous farm machinery has enhanced operational efficiency by 20% to 30%, while reducing seed usage by some 20%.
Innovative Seeds Pave the Way for Cangzhou's 'New Granary'
Seeds, often called the 'chips' of agriculture, are central to Cangzhou's agricultural strategy. The city is emphasizing a model that aligns seed selection with land characteristics, integrating production, education, research, breeding, and promotion to drive innovation in crop varieties.
Spanning approx. 4,100 hectares, the Cangzhou Dry Alkaline Wheat Breeding Base has an annual breeding capacity of 18,000 tons. Eleven newly developed dry alkaline wheat strains are currently undergoing the approval process, while three new varieties, including Cangmai 18, have already received official approval.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences' Ecological Agricultural Experiment Station has made significant strides by cultivating salt-tolerant and drought-resistant wheat varieties. Notably, Xiaoyan 60 has been listed in the national crop varieties promotion directory, and Xiaoyan 155 has demonstrated an expert-verified yield of 6,178.5 kilograms per hectare.
At the Cangzhou Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, researchers are employing advanced technology to accelerate breeding processes. Using an artificial climate chamber capable of adjusting temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions to simulate outdoor farmland, scientists are able to breed up to four generations annually, significantly enhancing breeding efficiency.
Specialty Agricultural Products Lead Emerging Culinary Trends
A growing array of specialty agricultural products from saline-alkaline land is making its way from fields to dining tables, quickly gaining popularity among health-conscious audiences.
Cangzhou is now become home to 15 leading dry alkaline wheat processors operating above the municipal level, with a combined annual production capacity exceeding 1 million tons. Among the standout products, Huanghua Dry Alkali Wheat has been included in the national regional public brand catalog and featured on the national 'local specialties' promotion list. Meanwhile, Cangzhou Dry Alkaline Wheat has achieved recognition as a provincial-level regional public brand. In addition, 19 dry alkali wheat strains developed in the city have received green food certifications.
The Institute of Agricultural Products Processing and Nutritional Health of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (Cangzhou) has also established six research and development centers, including the Dry Alkali Wheat Processing and Products Innovation R&D Center, and the Fruit and Vegetable Food Manufacturing and Nutritional Health R&D Center.
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SOURCE Xinhuanet