Wheat and rice production in Qidong achieves full-scale mechanization. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

In Qidong, over 1,100 large-scale grain and oil crop growers are relying on mechanization to ensure stable and high yields, according to Lu Jian, director of the Qidong Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau.

In just over a month, the city successfully harvested nearly 230,000 mu (15,333 hectares) of wheat and rapeseed, dried more than 100 million kilograms of wheat and rapeseed, and quickly completed machine sowing for 80,000 mu of rice and 150,000 mu of soybeans.

Over 95 percent of Qidong's wheat, rice, and soybean production is now mechanized. Both wheat and rice production have achieved full-scale mechanization, with the total planting area expanding to 450,000 mu. Average yields have steadily increased, with wheat exceeding 450 kg per mu and rice surpassing 500 kg per mu. Total grain and oil production has risen from just over 260,000 metric tons to more than 330,000 tons in 2024.

Gong Biao, head of the agricultural machinery department, noted that Qidong now operates over 3,000 large and medium-sized farming machines with a total power of 638,000 kilowatts. The city also utilizes 288 large-scale grain drying units and more than 1,000 drones and plant protection machines. Supporting equipment exceeds 5,000 units, with over 40 percent purchased in the past two years.

With full mechanization across major crops, Qidong has seen production costs cut by over 60 percent, yields increased by more than 30 percent, and economic benefits boosted by 40 percent. In 2024, over 90 percent of farmland was transferred in contiguous blocks, generating more than 500 million yuan ($69.67 million) in total land rental income for farmers, over 40 million yuan in collective village income, and 90 million yuan in additional employment income for local residents.