Innovative techniques, smart farming transform saline-alkali land into fertile soil in China’s Jilin

The once barren saline-alkali land in northeast China's Jilin Province is now producing bumper rice crops along with fat crabs and ducks, thanks to innovative land improvement techniques and smart farming practices.

In western Jilin, where rainfall is scarce and soil salinity is high, it is difficult for crops to grow properly. Since 2012, the region has reclaimed about 150,000 hectares of saline-alkali land for cultivation.

The efforts are part of Jilin's broader strategy to boost food security, with the province now producing over 40 million tons of grain annually, enough to feed 200 million people for a year.

At a six-hundred-hectare demonstration farm near Jilin's Da'an city, rice paddies now teem with ducks and crabs. The harvest season for rice has not come yet, but a bumper harvest for ducks and crabs in the ecological paddy field has been secured.

"The crabs and ducks in this field help loosen the soil, fertilize the rice fields and catch insects. The crabs and the ducks will also be sold for a profit in fall," said Wang Qianshi, a staff member of Da 'an saline-alkali land improvement project.

The land reclamation process begins with careful leveling done by large agricultural machinery to ensure even water distribution.

Researchers have developed various methods to combat soil salinity, including physical, chemical, and biological treatments.

One novel approach uses organosilicone compounds.

"The organosilicone added can layer the soil and water instantly, breaking the soil compaction which is conducive to the growth of rice roots," said Feng Zhennan, a saline-alkali land improvement technology personnel.

To prevent the recurrence of salinity called saline-alkali stress, scientists have spent years of research and developed a smart management system to monitor soil conditions in real-time.

"Our field monitoring system can monitor the PH change in real time. When the PH value is high, we can deal with it in time, switch on the irrigation mode to prevent the saline-alkali stress of crop growth," said Meng Xiandong, a staff member of Da'an saline-alkali soil smart farm.

These technological advancements are attracting young, tech-savvy farmers to the region. After a year of improvement and two years of fertilization, the reclaimed land can match the productivity of fertile fields.

Last year's harvest from the improved saline-alkali land in Da'an yielded six tons of grain per hectare, with Local cooperative leaders expecting a 20 percent increase this year in the forthcoming harvest season which begins in 20 days.

Innovative techniques, smart farming transform saline-alkali land into fertile soil in China’s Jilin

Innovative techniques, smart farming transform saline-alkali land into fertile soil in China’s Jilin

China's top housing authority has noted "overall positive changes" in the real estate market, as homebuyer confidence was revived by a series of beneficial measures announced by major Chinese cities since September to boost the country's property markets.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development said most cities have seen a rise in visits to property projects by over 50 percent from a year ago.

Thanks to new policy adjustments on Sept 30, both transaction volume and inquiries for second-hand homes in Beijing increased notably during the week-long National Day holiday, which runs from Oct 1 to 7.

"On Oct 1, four orders were signed at our store and on Oct 2, one order was signed, bringing the total number to five. This marks a historical peak in our transaction records," said Liu Qiujing, a house agent at Huilongguan sub-branch of Lianjia Real Estate Brokerage in Beijing.

She also reported that property viewings at her store stood at 39 groups during the holiday, an increase of 15 groups over the previous week.

According to a circular jointly issued by six municipal departments on Sept 30, non-Beijing residents are allowed to purchase homes inside the city's fifth ring road if they have a record of paying social insurance or individual income tax in the city for at least three years - down from five years as was previously required.

The new policies which took effect on Oct 1 also lift the housing purchase restrictions in Tongzhou District, where the Beijing Municipal Administrative Center is located, to allow the district's homebuying rules to comply with the city's unified property market policy.

Under the new rules, homebuyers face less financial pressure, as the minimum down payment ratio for individual commercial mortgages are reduced from 20 percent to 15 percent for first-home purchases, and from 30 percent to 20 percent for second homes.

"Following the introduction of the new regulations, buyers have shown a stronger willingness to purchase properties, acquiring them more swiftly. Clients with rigid demand for residential housing are swiftly entering the market. From the perspective of homebuyers, their confidence has significantly increased," said Liu.

Between Oct 1 and noon of Oct 3, on-site inquiries for second-hand homes in Beijing jumped by 104.1 percent year on year, according to a report on the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

China's housing market sees positive changes following eased homebuying rules