Tech-driven land trusteeship transforms agriculture in Shandong district

The agricultural service center of Shenchen village is equipped with over 20 advanced agricultural machines. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In a pioneering move to modernize farming, Laiwu district in Jinan, East China's Shandong province, has addressed the challenges posed by equipment shortages and extensive management for farmers lacking agricultural experience by promoting large-scale land trusteeship services.

In Shenchen village in Kouzhen subdistrict, the application of smart agricultural machinery and precision farming technologies has significantly boosted agricultural productivity and crop yields.

Gao Peng, a grain grower from the village who operates a construction company away from home year-round, has entrusted the full-cycle management of his 800 mu (53.33 hectares) of land to the Shenchen Village Agricultural Machinery Cooperative. The cooperative provides comprehensive services for wheat and corn production, ranging from the procurement of seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides to sowing, field management, and harvesting. After deducting land transfer fees, Gao earns an annual net income of nearly 200,000 yuan ($27,868).

Shenchen village has established an agricultural service center that integrates services such as agricultural machinery operations, farming technical training, and primary processing of agricultural products. The center is equipped with over 20 advanced agricultural machines, including large seeders, harvesters, and straw balers, and manages more than 2,000 mu of farmland.

To further enhance farming techniques, Shenchen village collaborates with Shandong Agricultural University to receive technical support in seed and fertilizer selection. Additionally, the village regularly sends personnel to participate in collective agricultural machinery training sessions organized by the agriculture bureau of Laiwu district.

Laiwu district has been promoting this modern agricultural model for years, having transferred a total of 400,800 mu of rural land and achieved a land trusteeship area of 169,500 mu. The large-scale operation rate of land management in the district has reached 85.21 percent. By integrating technology and standardized services, the initiative ensures stable harvests, higher incomes, and sustainable rural development. (Edited by Li Weiwei)