China, a nation recognized for its significant contribution to global agriculture, is navigating an intricate dual challenge: meeting the scaling food demands of its burgeoning population while simultaneously addressing the pressing environmental repercussions of agricultural practices. The country’s traditional reliance on resource-intensive farming methods has undeniably enhanced food sufficiency over the years, yet these methods have also precipitated serious environmental issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, and alarming rates of water body eutrophication. A staggering statistic emerges from data recorded in 2019, indicating that nearly 70% of China’s farmland was classified with low to medium productivity rates, thus underscoring the urgency for a paradigmatic shift towards sustainable practices within the agricultural sector.
In the quest for knowledge to address these challenges, a research team led by Associate Professor Wushuang Zhang, alongside colleagues from esteemed institutions, including Southwest University and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, embarked on a comprehensive review of green technology advancements influences on major food crops over a significant period from 2000 to 2022. The inquiry placed focus on a crucial query: how can China harmonize the seemingly contradictory objectives of high agricultural yield and high resource efficiency given the ever-tightening constraints on resources? Their findings, officially documented in the peer-reviewed journal “Frontiers of Agricultural Science and Engineering,” introduce critical insights into the evolving landscape of agricultural practices.
Over the two-decade timeline under discussion, the transformation of China’s food production systems has been nothing short of remarkable. The total output from the three staple crops—rice, wheat, and corn—witnessed a dramatic rise of 58% since 2000, with corn yields astonishingly skyrocketing by an impressive 162%. This remarkable surge in production is underscored by minimal expansion in arable land, which increased by only 8.6%, highlighting that the driving force behind this agricultural renaissance stems primarily from enhancements in yield per unit area. The specific metrics are equally notable, with wheat yield per unit area soaring by 56.7%, corn yielding an increase of 40%, and rice experiencing a more modest rise of 12.9%.
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Equipped with extensive data, the researchers are excited to underline not only the yield improvements but also the advanced efficiency in resource utilization. The usage of fertilizers, a crucial aspect of modern agriculture, peaked in 2016 and subsequently witnessed a decline totaling 0.83 million tons by 2022. The reductions included a noteworthy 9.4% decrease in nitrogen fertilizer applications, with nitrogen utilization efficiency experiencing a marked improvement—from an initial rate of 27.5% in 2000 to an impressive 41.3% in 2022. This trajectory illustrates a paradigm of progressive agricultural innovation whereby more food is generated with less requisite fertilizer, thereby relieving some environmental pressures.
The successes seen thus far are attributed to several groundbreaking technological advancements. Take, for instance, the “Integrated Soil-Crop System Management (ISSM)” methodology, a hallmark of modern agronomy partnering with sustainability goals. This pioneering technology tailors the selection of crop varieties, optimizes sowing times, and improves planting densities, all aimed at maximizing both light energy utilization and nutrient supply efficiencies. Remarkably, field application of this technology within North China resulted in a staggering 91.2% increase in corn yields, while simultaneously mitigating nitrogen losses and greenhouse gas emissions by 30% and 11%, respectively.
The impact of tailored approaches like the “Root Zone Nutrient Regulation Technology” should also be underscored. This innovative strategy transcends traditional applications by aligning nitrogen supplies with crop needs at varying growth stages, yielding an 8% increase in corn production alongside a 25% reduction in nitrogen fertilizer application. Another technology, “Rhizosphere Nutrient Regulation Technology,” tackles fertilizer application’s localized impacts within the root zone, achieving a remarkable 20.2% rise in rice yields, complemented by a 20-30% decrease in nitrogen fertilizer usage—a clear testament to the integration of scientific research and practical application.
Despite these advancements, challenges loom large on the horizon. With the anticipated growth of the population paired with the expanding demand for animal husbandry, projections indicate a staggering increase in food demand, chiefly corn, with total projections suggesting a 30% rise by the year 2050. Concurrently, issues related to the surplus of nitrogen and phosphorus in farmlands remain concerning, compounded by a low utilization rate for organic resources that continue to hold vast untapped potential within China’s agricultural landscape.
To combat these prevalent challenges, the research team advocates for a quartet of strategies designed to harness the immense capabilities of innovative technology in agriculture. These strategies include a robust focus on the precision management of organic resources, the promotion of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, the integration and adoption of rhizosphere nutrient regulation technologies, and the exploration of cutting-edge technologies like intelligent nutrient management. Collectively, these strategies harness a multi-faceted approach to empower agricultural efficacy while minimizing ecological footprints.
The researchers are optimistic that fully implementing the principles of Integrated Soil-Crop System Management could catalyze significant improvements in output volumes by 2050, suggesting a potential increase in total rice, wheat, and corn outputs of 45.8 million tons, 115 million tons, and 360 million tons, respectively. This optimistic forecast not only promises bolstered food security for China’s population but also a pronounced reduction in environmental ramifications associated with past agricultural practices.
Thus, the groundbreaking work carried out by Zhang and his colleagues signals a pivotal moment in the evolution of agricultural practices within China, merging innovative technologies with sustainability-based strategies. Their comprehensive exploration of the intersection between yield efficiency and environmental stewardship paves a path forward, fostering hope within the scientific community and the agricultural industry. Through focused endeavors, the prospect of achieving a productive balance between meeting the nutritional demands of millions while safeguarding the planet’s ecological health remains tantalizingly within reach.
Subject of Research: Innovations in green technology for increasing major grain crop production and efficiency in China
Article Title: Innovations in green technology for increasing major grain crop production and efficiency in China
News Publication Date: 16-Jul-2025
Web References: https://journal.hep.com.cn/fase/EN/10.15302/J-FASE-2025633
References: DOI: 10.15302/J-FASE-2025633
Image Credits: Credit: Fulin ZHAO1, Xingbang WANG1, Wushuai ZHANG1, Peng HOU2, Qingfeng MENG3, Zhenling CUI4,5, Xinping CHEN1,4
Keywords
Agriculture, Food Security, Sustainable Practices, Green Technology, Resource Efficiency.
Tags: addressing greenhouse gas emissionsagricultural productivity in Chinabalancing yield and sustainabilityChina’s agricultural challengesenvironmental impact of farmingfood security and environmental sustainabilitygreen technology in agricultureinnovative food production strategiesresource-efficient farming methodssoil degradation solutionssustainable agriculture practiceswater resource management in farming
