Harvesters operate in a wheat field in Tongzhou district, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account wxtzfb]

Wheat harvest season has recently begun in Nantong's Tongzhou district.

Currently, six harvesters are operational in a project area, having already reaped over 1,500 mu (100 hectares), one-third of the area's total. Based on current progress, all harvesting tasks are expected to be completed by May 31.

This year, the district has planted wheat across 370,000 mu, slightly less than last year. However, the yield is projected to remain stable, exceeding 400 kilograms per mu, with some high-yielding fields reaching around 550 kg per mu.

Behind this bountiful harvest lies the district's efforts to mitigate drought. Sprinkler irrigation equipment was deployed, and water was pumped from rivers to ensure that every field received adequate irrigation. A total of 2 million yuan ($278,333.89) was allocated for purchasing foliar fertilizers and growth regulators.

To ensure efficient grain storage, 16,000 sets of agricultural machinery have undergone thorough maintenance and testing. Additionally, 12 agricultural machinery emergency service teams have been established, operating 24/7, ready to respond to machinery breakdowns in any township within 30 minutes.