China sets up basic farmland quality monitoring network

(ECNS)-- China has established a basic network for monitoring farmland quality, achieving a new breakthrough in farmland quality promotion and protection, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said on Thursday.

The latest monitoring data shows that there are currently 28,000 arable land quality monitoring points at all levels across the country, covering the main soil types and planting systems.

In key areas such as the black soil in Northeast China, acidified soil in South China, and saline-alkali land in North China, efforts have been made to strengthen the management of degraded arable land.

Integrated technology models have been used to carry out pilot projects for the treatment of acidification and saline-alkalization of arable land, and a number of effective and easy-to-use technology models have been explored and summarized.

Zhang Xingwang, vice minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, stated that a comprehensive soil survey should be conducted every 10 to 20 years as a mid-term evaluation in order to assess the quality grade and suitability of arable land use.

A short-term survey and evaluation of arable land quality should be conducted every five years.

Key areas like those designated for high-standard farmland development should undergo annual change surveys and evaluations to monitor changes in arable land quality grades.

This year, China will launch the third national soil survey, conducting a comprehensive examination of 11 billion mu (approximately 1.83 billion acres) of agricultural land and some unused land.

In 15 provinces with a large distribution of acidic farmland soils in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, Southwest China, and South China, priority county projects for the treatment of acidic farmland have been established.

In typical black soil farmland areas, projects such as farmland development, small watershed management, and organic fertilizer return have been implemented in a coordinated manner, along with agricultural technology and measures to protect and utilize 100 million mu of black soil in Northeast China.