The progress of spring planting for grain and oil crops in Liaoning Province has exceeded 50% of the intended area. According to agricultural situation dispatches from the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, nearly 30 million mu (about 2 million hectares) of grain and oil crops have been sown, accounting for 54.2% of the planned planting area. This represents a pace 14.1 percentage points faster than the same period last year.
Specifically, corn planting has covered 28.115 million mu, with progress reaching 66.6%, which is 17.3 percentage points ahead of last year's schedule. The sowing of rice, soybeans, potatoes, and other grains is also advancing steadily, with progress notably quicker than the previous year.
Favorable weather conditions across most of the province during the May Day holiday provided an excellent window for spring planting operations. Farmers and cooperatives throughout the region seized this advantageous farming season, mobilizing resources to accelerate the planting of grain and oil crops, which is the primary reason for the accelerated progress this year. Additionally, adjustments in planting structures across various areas have helped alleviate challenges related to concentrated operational timelines.
In Heishan County, Jinzhou City, Li Ning, the head of Ningyue Agricultural Machinery Cooperative, has developed a "three-harvests-from-one-field" approach through strip intercropping of spring wheat, corn, and soybeans. He explained, "Western Liaoning has high latitude and ample sunlight, with inherently fertile black soil. By accurately timing the seasons, properly matching crops, and establishing effective methods, we can fully harness the potential of light, heat, water, and soil. We plant spring wheat, interplant corn between the rows, and follow the wheat stubble with soybeans. This not only boosts crop growth but also enriches soil fertility."
Zhao Yuguo, Chairman of the Tieling County Cainiu Zhangzhuang New Corn Variety Promotion Professional Cooperative, also emphasized adjustments in planting structure. This year, he expanded the spring wheat planting area to 5,000 mu (about 333 hectares), sowing began in March, and plans are in place to plant a second crop of soybeans after the wheat harvest. "The benefits include increased planting revenue and stabilized employment by ensuring year-round work," Zhao noted. He added that if these 5,000 mu were planted with corn, given current operational conditions, it would require at least an additional ten days.
As the only city in the province designated for the nationwide promotion of whole-system corn yield improvement, Chaoyang City is focusing on enhancing farmers' planting management levels. Measures include distributing recommendation catalogs for superior crop varieties, conducting technical training sessions, and dispatching agricultural experts for on-site guidance. While stabilizing grain planting areas and consolidating the achievements of expanded soybean cultivation, the city is also scientifically planning the layout of distinctive and advantageous industries to advance the spring planting of cash crops such as millet and potatoes.
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