Northeast China is a crucial grain-producing area with its black soil ensuring high yield. It is considered to be one of the most fertile areas in the country.
Today, the region's grain and commodity grain outputs account for 25 percent and nearly 33 percent of China's total output, respectively, indicating the strategic importance of the black soil.
However, the high yield has led to a decline in organic matters in the soil and its fertility. In addition, the huge population and limited land have also had a detrimental effect on farmland.
During a recent visit to Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of grain production and food security and said measures would be taken to protect the black soil.
Production capacity is a guarantee of food security and fertile lands are the foundation of the capacity. Therefore, it is vital to protect farmland with soil enrichment.
As local farmers' awareness of soil protection grows, they are taking measures like using mulching to increase fertility and resist drought.
This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in People's Daily on July 29
(Print Edition Title: Black Soil Protection)
