Global Rice News

BEIJING, Apr. 10 (China Economic Net) – After the rain, the coarse earth is plowed and cracked with the roar of tractors, exposing the stubble that was left in the field all winter.

Amidst the spring plowing crowd, stands a dark-skinned, bearded foreign man. Walking between fields, leaning over to examine the thickness, softness, and moisture of the soil is Muhammad Ahmad Hassan, a doctor of agronomy from Pakistan. Spring came, and his new year of agricultural experiments began.

Advancements in Agricultural Technology

Hassan, who pursued a doctorate in agronomy at Anhui Agricultural University, specializes in freeze-resistant wheat and water-saving and drought-resistant rice. As an expert in his field, he believes that spring plowing is a crucial step to ensure the healthy growth of crops. In addition to his studies in the classroom and laboratory, Hassan dedicates a significant amount of time exploring and excavating in the field, uncovering many agricultural treasures.

During his visits to various fields and farms, Hassan has witnessed the utilization of modern and intelligent machinery. These include tractors equipped with satellites and self-driving systems, plant protection drones capable of efficiently spraying herbicides, and soil moisture monitors that provide real-time monitoring of soil humidity. These advancements have greatly impressed Hassan and opened his eyes to the possibilities of agricultural technology.

Exciting Discoveries in Digital Agriculture

Recently, Hassan visited a digital strawberry demonstration garden in Changfeng County, Hefei City. He was amazed to see strawberries growing in “mid-air,” inspection robots collecting various data at different times and locations, and intelligent water and fertilizer systems operating automatically. The orchard was equipped with automated machinery that could be controlled and monitored remotely in real-time using cell phones and computers. Hassan was captivated by these technological marvels.

Water-Saving and Drought-Resistant Rice Research

With the support of the Belt and Road Initiative, the water-saving and drought-resistant rice research team at the Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences has made significant progress. They have trained over 300 agricultural scientific and technological personnel from countries along the Belt and Road Initiative by establishing international cooperative research centers and test bases in Cambodia, Pakistan, and other locations. Muhammad Ahmad Hassan is one of the beneficiaries of this initiative.

The academy has selected and bred a batch of high-quality rice varieties, which were introduced to Belt and Road Initiative countries for trial planting to meet local food needs. Anhui’s rice breeding capacity, especially in water-saving and drought-resistant rice, is considered among the best in the world. The introduction of Anhui’s improved rice varieties has increased the average rice yield per mu in Pakistan from 300 kg to about 500 kg. Hassan is eager to learn more from this successful collaboration.

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