In the heart of sorghum harvest season, Shaotou village in Xindian sub-district, Dongying, East China's Shandong province, is awash with rolling fields of sorghum, their vibrant colors reminiscent of the stunning evening sky, while their heads are heavy with plump seeds.
With the weather working in their favor, farmers rush to gather the ripe crop. Harvesters move swiftly through the fields, the roar of machinery filling the air as grains cascade into waiting trucks.
The harvester moves through the sorghum field. [Photo/Wechat account: dyqgov]
"This area was once a saline-alkali wasteland, where corn struggled to thrive. Sorghum, with its drought and flood resistance, high yields, and ease of management, is far better suited for this soil," said Li Shuai, Party secretary of the village.
In recent years, Xindian sub-district has effectively harnessed its saline-alkali land, exploring various management models and techniques tailored to different soil types. This initiative has awakened previously dormant agricultural resources, expanding and enhancing farmland productivity.
Since the start of last year, Xindian sub-district has developed 353.33 hectares of high-standard farmland and reported over 200 hectares of reserve projects in both Shaotou and Chapo villages. They've also initiated pilot projects for the comprehensive utilization of over 133.33 hectares of reserve resources, with a goal of establishing over 666.67 hectares of high-quality farmland by 2025.
Currently, Shaotou village has transformed 80 hectares of saline-alkali land, boosting farmers' earnings by nearly 200,000 yuan ($28,487.45) per year.
This year, Dongying district in Dongying has made significant strides with a pilot project for the comprehensive use of saline-alkali land, investing 37.6 million yuan to reclaim 65.46 hectares and planning to add another 45.82 hectares of farmland.
The future of saline-alkali land utilization in Dongying looks bright.
