According to recent reports from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the total area of vegetable cultivation across the country has reached 10.5 million acres, marking an increase of over 900,000 acres compared to last year.

As a new wave of cold air sweeps through China, various regions are taking proactive measures to secure vegetable production.

In Shandong Province, the latest cold front has led to a series of actions aimed at supporting vegetable growth. In Yantai’s Muping District, local agricultural technicians are actively advising farmers on best practices. They are implementing strategies such as reducing ventilation times and promptly sealing ventilation openings to mitigate adverse effects.

Yang Yanli, the manager of a local farm in Gaoling Township, stated, “Before the strong winds and heavy rain hit, we took various precautionary measures. We replaced all the greenhouse covers with new ones to ensure we were well-prepared.”

Currently, Muping District has over 20,000 acres dedicated to vegetable cultivation, supplying nearly 70,000 tons of vegetables annually, making it a crucial supplier for the region and its surroundings. To bolster vegetable supply during this period, the local agricultural department is utilizing television, text messages, and WeChat to distribute guidance and information proactively, aiming to take charge of disaster prevention and reduction efforts during the cold snap.

Xu Shengsheng, head of the vegetable station at the Muping Agricultural Technology Center, emphasized the importance of managing humidity inside greenhouses: “Excessive moisture can lead to disease and pests. It’s essential to open vents and promote airflow while ensuring adequate nutrients and water for the vegetables to enhance their yield.”

In Hebei Province, emergency plans have been launched, with agricultural technicians deployed to key vegetable-growing areas to provide tailored advice to farmers. In the Qianmu facility vegetable demonstration zone of Hezhang Village, technicians began their day early, offering specific guidance to tomato farmer Wang Ligang on how to manage crops during the cold weather.

The local agricultural departments quickly activated their emergency response plans, sending nearly 100 agricultural technicians to assist in the production zones while also utilizing WeChat and agricultural promotion platforms for “point-to-point” consultations.

Han Zhiying, director of the Agricultural Technology Promotion Center in Handan City, noted, “We need to strengthen on-site management, reduce watering and pesticide spraying. If pesticide application is necessary, it should be done on sunny days with smoke agents to ensure the plants can build up resistance and minimize the impacts of low temperatures and strong winds.”

Meanwhile, in Hubei Province, smart facilities are helping ensure that vegetables remain “warm” during the winter. The cold air has also brought continuous rain to southern regions. At a chili pepper plantation in ZhiJiang, high-tech smart greenhouses are in place to counteract the impact of lowering temperatures, ensuring a stable environment for plant growth.

This facility is equipped with advanced smart systems that can automatically adjust the ventilation based on external temperature and internal humidity, thus preventing excessive humidity and diseases that could arise from sudden temperature drops.

Additionally, a water-and-fertilizer integration system is tailored to the growth needs of the chili peppers and the condition of the soil, allowing for precise irrigation and fertilization. This technological application effectively combats adverse weather effects such as cold and rain, alleviating issues like fruit drop, malnutrition, and slow growth, which ultimately boosts both yield and quality.

Huang Jun, director of the Agricultural Service Center in Qixingtai Town, highlighted, “We have a total vegetable cultivation area of 70,000 acres, with 6,500 acres under smart greenhouses. These facilities play a vital role in coping with climate change, enhancing vegetable yields, and stabilizing prices. Currently, we supply approximately 6,000 tons of vegetables to the national market every day.”