Successful Debut of Dry Direct-Seeding for Rice in Northeast China

Recently, the Yongxiang Agricultural Machinery team traveled to Heilongjiang Province in the Northeast to visit two dry direct-seeding rice fields: a 200-mu plot at Erdaohe Farm in Fuyuan City (Jiamusi) and a 630-mu plot near Farm 845 in Hulin City. On-site observations revealed impressive crop growth, with estimated yields exceeding 1,300 jin per mu—marking the first successful implementation of dry direct-seeding for rice in the Northeast!

We witnessed firsthand the success of dry direct-seeding for rice in this cold region, and we believe this good news will soon spread across the three Northeastern provinces. Traditionally, rice cultivation in this cold climate relied on seedling raising and transplanting—a labor-intensive process spanning over three months, from raising seedlings in February to transplanting in May. It was a grueling task involving freezing temperatures and immense physical effort for the people of the Northeast. However, with the aging of the rural population and the migration of locals to the South, rice farming in the region has become increasingly difficult.

Mr. Zhang, a farmer in Hulin, shared his experience: "With the Northeast's population dwindling, we’ve had to change our farming methods. This year, I adopted the dry direct-seeding model. I used the Yongxiang intelligent seeder during the planting window of April 25 to May 6. Once the temperature rose, full germination was achieved by mid-May. Switching to machine direct-seeding eliminated the need for raising seedlings, transplanting, field soaking, and mud puddling; it saves both labor and time, and significantly reduces physical strain. Farmers from nearby state farms and large-scale growers frequently visited my fields to take a look. At first, they mocked me, claiming I didn't know how to farm, but they were stunned—practically dumbfounded—once the seedlings fully emerged." 

Mr. Zhang, who cultivated 200 mu of rice using mechanical direct seeding at Erdaohe Farm in Fuyuan City, noted, "Many growers have come to take a look and ask for advice on the technique." A comprehensive analysis suggests that the Northeast region could see an explosion in the adoption of dry direct seeding for rice by 2027; Yongxiang’s dry direct seeding machines can help farmers succeed with this method, thereby making a contribution to Chinese agriculture. What is your take on this trend?