As spring returns to the land, bringing revival to all things, the city of Dunhuang, located at the western end of the Hexi Corridor, is seizing the golden period for early spring farming. Across its towns, fields are bustling with activity, composing a vibrant prelude to the spring planting season. In the contiguous fields of Xindiantai Village, Mogao Town, agricultural machinery roars as it shuttles back and forth, while a new generation of farmers works diligently on the ground, slowly unfolding a picture of modern spring cultivation.
In 2016, Wang Yong, a local top talent in Dunhuang and the chairman of the Zhongnong Agricultural Machinery Farmers' Professional Cooperative, took the lead in establishing the cooperative. He innovatively implemented a model where members contribute machinery to join the cooperative, steadily transferred 102 acres of land, and arranged specialty crop planting according to local conditions. After years of dedicated practice, he successfully built a comprehensive, socially-managed service system for agricultural production, radiating influence and setting surrounding villages on a path toward large-scale agricultural development.
"Now we've consolidated the land into large plots, specifically focusing on mechanized托管 services. This year, I continue to lead everyone in corn seed production, primarily using full-process mechanization. By helping farmers with services and taking on more responsibilities, the farmers are very satisfied," Wang Yong explained. The superior seeds cultivated by the cooperative have shown significant advantages, with seed corn yield per acre reaching over 2,000 jin. Last year, after surrounding farmers adopted these superior seeds, the per-acre yield exceeded 2,000 jin, increasing income by 300 to 400 yuan per acre.
During the early spring season, when temperatures are low and late cold spells occur frequently, farmers in Suzhou Town, Dunhuang, skillfully use planting techniques to overcome climatic challenges, allowing facility-grown vegetables to hit the market early. In recent years, the town has vigorously promoted the plastic arch shed planting model, exploring the refined management technique of "shed within a shed." This approach both strengthens protection against the cold and accelerates vegetable growth.
Ye Cunsheng, a villager from Hezhoubao with three years of planting experience, is busy transplanting eggplant, pepper, and tomato seedlings. "We started transplanting seedlings just in the last day or two, using the 'shed within a shed' model. The vegetables can come to market around early May, which is 7 to 10 days earlier compared to the general shed model," he said.
Stepping into the smart greenhouse in Guojiapu Town, Dunhuang, IoT sensors act as "digital stewards," monitoring and regulating temperature, light, moisture, and nutrients in real-time, 24 hours a day, achieving precise resource allocation. The greenhouse integrates technologies such as green pest control, integrated water and fertilizer management, intelligent supplemental lighting, and bumblebee pollination. It is equipped with devices like intelligent rail transport systems and integrated water-fertilizer machines, making agricultural production smarter, more efficient, and greener.
Pei Xiaohan, a staff member from Guojiapu Town, said, "Through the integrated application of multiple smart technologies, we have achieved significant results in saving water, fertilizer, and pesticides. Labor costs have substantially decreased, while both yield and quality have improved simultaneously. This provides a replicable and scalable model for enhancing the quality and efficiency of facility agriculture in Guojiapu."
To bridge the "last mile" of agricultural technical services, Zhuanqukou Town in Dunhuang proactively connected with higher-level technical departments to form a professional technical service team. The team goes directly to farmers' orchards, greenhouses, and livestock pens to provide face-to-face, hands-on guidance. Technicians focus on the pain points in farmers' production, prioritizing the promotion of practical technologies like green pest control and soil testing for formulated fertilization. They tailor personalized planting plans based on the moisture content and soil quality of each plot, fully addressing urgent and difficult problems in the planting and breeding process.