In Yanhe Tujia Autonomous County, Guizhou Province, a significant agricultural operation is underway using drones to protect over 20,000 mu (approximately 1,333 hectares) of rice. The local government is deploying this advanced technology for a unified pest and disease control campaign to curb infestations and ensure food production security.

At the full mechanization demonstration base for seedling transplanting in Sanhu Village, Qitan Town, the county's agricultural machinery center is organizing plant protection drone missions. The process involves loading pesticides, taking off, and spraying. As the drones' rotors hum, they rise into the air and fly steadily over the rice paddies. Spray nozzles underneath release a fine, white mist of agricultural chemicals that evenly coats the fields, acting as a protective layer for the rice.

"Previously, manual spraying was time-consuming and labor-intensive. One person could only spray about 5 mu a day and would be exhausted, without guaranteed results," explained Xiao Ying, Deputy Director of the Qitan Town Agricultural and Rural Comprehensive Service Center. "Now, with drone spraying, we can cover more than 20 mu in just ten minutes. It's faster, more efficient, and cost-effective, bringing real benefits to the farmers."

This period is critical for the rapid growth of rice, but it is also a high-risk time for various pests and diseases. While focusing on pest control, Yanhe County is taking a multi-pronged approach. Agricultural technicians are being sent to the fields to guide farmers. They advise on comprehensive management strategies based on actual pest conditions and help farmers scientifically respond to agricultural threats, promoting healthy rice growth.

"Currently, the rice in Yanhe is entering the booting and heading stages, a key phase for the occurrence of leaf roller, planthoppers, and rice blast," said Xiao Ying, Senior Agronomist and Head of the Yanhe County Agricultural Machinery Center. "Our unified pest control campaign aims to combat rice leaf roller, rice blast, and planthoppers. Our goal is to protect the grain from pests, reduce the incidence of disease, and ensure a bountiful autumn harvest."

In mid-summer, the rice fields in Qianxi City, Guizhou Province, present a lush green landscape. The contiguous fields, interspersed with irrigation channels, roads, green mountains, and rural homes, create a picturesque scene. In recent years, Qianxi City has focused on food security by significantly improving farmland infrastructure. Through constructing drainage and irrigation channels, hardening agricultural roads, and implementing land consolidation, the city has upgraded high-standard farmland. This effort has resolved issues with irrigation and drainage, transforming scattered plots into stable, productive fields. By enhancing infrastructure to boost agricultural output, Qianxi is painting a picture of ecological beauty and promising abundance.

The image shows an aerial view of the rice field scenery at Huakouzhai Community, Jinbi Town, Qianxi City, Guizhou Province.