Golden September brings the scent of rice and the weight of abundant fruit. On September 22, Baotou's 2026 Cultural, Sci-Tech, and Health "Three to the Countryside" Demonstration Activity, alongside the celebrations for the ninth "Chinese Farmers' Harvest Festival," took place in Burhatu Town, Kundulun District.
A visitor from Tianjin, Sun Yuna, who was in Baotou visiting family, shared her impressions: "I happened upon this event. It features all kinds of specialty agricultural products and some ingeniously crafted handicrafts. The atmosphere is incredibly lively, and you can genuinely feel the joy of a rural harvest." Following the flow of the crowd Sun Yuna pointed to, visitors first encounter a striking display made of stacked full corn cobs, round pumpkins, and an array of fresh fruits and vegetables. Beyond that, on both sides, booths for six functional zones are neatly arranged, extending toward the main stage where attendees can sample and purchase local specialties, join interactive games, seek agricultural technology advice, receive free health check-ups, and learn about legal outreach. The sounds of vendor calls, laughter, and music blend together into a lively symphony of the harvest.
The "Taste of Hometown" Harvest Neighborhood Feast food-tasting area is set up right at the front, allowing participants to share in the joy of the harvest immediately. It features freshly picked seasonal vegetables from the fields, alongside locally prepared rustic dishes like farmhouse braised noodles and authentic stewed mutton. Each of the 18 gacha villages and communities selected one signature local dish, creating a "One Village, One Flavor" gastronomic showcase.
A crowd gathered around the sweet corn stall, where freshly boiled corn steamed in the air. Everyone held a piece, eating and praising it. "This year, our village's fresh corn cultivation area exceeds 2,000 mu, and the overall crop harvest is very satisfying," said Qin Guozhu, Party Secretary of Ulanqisan Village in Burhatu Town, Kundulun District. He explained that the village previously focused on feed corn cultivation, yielding a net profit of 500 to 600 yuan per mu. In recent years, by optimizing the industrial structure and shifting planting strategies, the village has vigorously promoted the cultivation of high-quality fresh corn, achieving a threefold increase in planting efficiency. "Now our village has developed an integrated business model covering cultivation, processing, and year-round sales. Our high-quality sweet corn is sold to major cities, and our market reputation continues to improve. The enhancement of the industry has made villagers' pockets fuller and their lives more prosperous, with their sense of happiness and satisfaction steadily rising," Qin Guozhu added.
"It's very convenient to get a free check-up right at my doorstep and learn new information," said Li Ruohan, a local resident who just completed an eye exam. The Cultural, Sci-Tech, and Health "Three to the Countryside" benefit-focused service area addresses urgent needs by providing agricultural technology consultations, health check-ups, legal outreach, policy briefings, and science education. It also distributes policy manuals, science readers, and other materials, along with various welfare supplies, effectively delivering technology, health services, legal information, and policy knowledge directly to the doorsteps of grassroots communities.
After savoring the harvest flavors and utilizing the services, visitors move to the main stage to enjoy well-prepared performances, including original shows by the people of Burhatu Town. Additionally, a farmer fun sports meet featuring events like walking and tug-of-war kicks off, showcasing the vibrant spirit of modern farmers and herders.
"Building beautiful rural areas means not only increasing the incomes of farmers and herders but also enhancing their physical fitness and enriching their cultural and spiritual lives," said Fan Ruiqiang, head of the City Party Committee Lecture Group and Publicity Section. He noted that September marks the autumn harvest season, as well as National Defense Education Month and Ethnic Unity Progress Month. The event brings together multiple units to channel quality resources to the rural frontline, deeply integrating festive experiences, convenience services, product exhibitions, and civilized practices to genuinely benefit farmers and herders.