As the autumn breeze sweeps through the fields, signaling the harvest season, nearly 170,000 acres of late rice in Xiangzhou County, known as the “Grain Warehouse of Central Guangxi,” are coming into full swing. Farmers are taking advantage of clear weather to hurry and reap their crops, creating a lively scene across the fields.
Recently, I visited Longxiang Village in Maping Town, where golden rice stalks are a stunning sight. The rice paddies are laid out in orderly rows, while harvesters roar across the fields, progressing back and forth to collect the late rice, creating a beautiful symphony of harvest. As the rice is cut, straw is shredded and grains are threshed, the golden rice flows through conveyor systems into trucks waiting nearby.
Yang Zhenzhen, the deputy mayor of Maping Town, shared insights into the region’s agricultural strategies. “In recent years, we have focused on expanding cultivation areas, increasing yield, and boosting efficiency in rice production. This year, we planted 51,000 acres of rice and are implementing full mechanization throughout the processes of seedling preparation, planting, management, and harvesting. We expect yields to exceed 900 pounds per acre, marking a dual increase in both area and yield.”
The county has adopted a strategic approach of “storing grain in the land and in technology,” integrating agricultural and water conservancy projects for high-standard farmland construction. This initiative has resulted in a well-organized farmland layout, with connected fields, channels, and roads, gradually improving the infrastructure supporting agricultural production.
Moreover, the agricultural machinery department has been proactive in providing technical guidance for autumn harvests through online training sessions, live demonstrations, and workshops. So far, more than 500 operators have received training, and guidance has been given for the maintenance of 4,560 sets of harvesting equipment. Technical staff have visited local farms to assist with the preparations, ensuring that the farmers can make the most of the harvesting period and secure their grain.
This year, Xiangzhou County has planted nearly 170,000 acres of late rice, with full harvesting expected to be completed by the end of November, and an anticipated total output of over 66,300 tons.
