As the development of the village unfolds, agriculture, the ancient and profound foundation of this land, is also standing at a crossroads of transformation. Lin Yue knows that moving from traditional agriculture to ecological agriculture is not just a change in production methods, but a crucial step concerning the long-term future of the village, the quality of life of the villagers, and harmonious coexistence with the ecosystem.
Standing at the edge of the village's vast fields, a gentle breeze ruffled her hair. Her gaze swept across the golden waves of wheat, her thoughts drifting back to the village's past agricultural days. Traditional agriculture had once taken root here, and generations of villagers had toiled on this land, planting in spring and harvesting in autumn, reaping the bounty of the earth with their hardworking hands and simple experience. However, with the development of the times, the limitations of traditional agriculture gradually became apparent. Over-reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides led to declining soil fertility, water pollution, and inconsistent quality of agricultural products, failing to meet the modern market's demand for green and healthy food. Lin Yue understood that ecological agriculture, like a ray of dawn, illuminated the path forward for the sustainable development of the village's agriculture.
To initiate this transformation, Lin Yue invited agricultural experts to the village. The experts went deep into the fields, carefully examining soil texture, climate conditions, and the current state of crop cultivation. In an agricultural knowledge lecture for all villagers, the experts used simple language and vivid examples to explain the concept and advantages of ecological agriculture. They presented a series of data: soils that have long used chemical fertilizers experience an average annual decline in organic matter content of 0.5% to 1%, while adopting ecological agriculture models, through reasonable crop rotation, intercropping, and the use of organic fertilizers, can gradually increase soil organic matter content, improve soil structure, and enhance water and fertilizer retention capacity. Regarding pest and disease control, in traditional agriculture where pesticides are used, pest resistance is increasing year by year, leading to a continuous rise in pesticide use. Ecological agriculture, utilizing biological control methods such as releasing natural enemies of pests and using pheromone attractants, can reduce pesticide use by more than 80%, effectively reducing the risk of pesticide residues in agricultural products and improving their safety. Listening to these data and examples, the villagers' eyes showed both curiosity about the new knowledge and concern about the transformation of traditional agriculture.
Subsequently, Lin Yue organized a group of village representatives to conduct on-site inspections of surrounding demonstration villages that had successfully transitioned to ecological agriculture. There, they saw neatly arranged vegetable greenhouses where vibrant organic vegetables were thriving, free of the pungent smell of pesticides, only the fresh aroma of soil and vegetables. In the orchards, fruit farmers were busy releasing natural enemies of pests to control diseases and pests; the fruits on the trees were plump, round, and attractively colored. A fruit farmer from one of the demonstration villages enthusiastically shared his experience: “Since adopting the ecological agricultural model, the quality of our fruit has greatly improved, and it’s in high demand in the market, fetching much higher prices than before. Although the initial investment was higher, in the long run, the returns are very considerable.” The village representatives were deeply moved; their doubts about ecological agriculture gradually dissipated, replaced by anticipation for the future.
Upon returning to the village, Lin Yue and the villagers jointly selected several plots of farmland as pilot sites for ecological agriculture. In these pilot fields, a green revolution quietly began. First, there was a revolution in fertilizers, with traditional chemical fertilizers being replaced by organic fertilizers. Villagers began collecting livestock manure and crop straw, composting them to create nutrient-rich organic fertilizers. During fertilization, precise application was tailored to the specific growth needs of different crops and soil fertility, avoiding waste and overuse. For example, when planting corn, applying 1000-1500 kg of fermented farmyard manure per acre, along with an appropriate amount of bio-fertilizer, resulted in stronger corn growth, more developed root systems, and significantly enhanced resistance to lodging.
In terms of pest and disease control, biological control methods have proven highly effective. Villagers released large numbers of frogs and ducks into the rice paddies, which proved to be the "nemesis" of rice paddy pests. Statistics show that in rice paddies where frogs and ducks were introduced, the number of pests decreased by about 70%, and rice yields not only did not decline but actually increased slightly due to the improved ecological environment. In vegetable fields, villagers installed pest pheromone traps that release special scents to attract and kill pests. They also planted insect-repelling plants such as mint and lavender, utilizing their natural insect-repelling properties to protect vegetables from pests.
In terms of irrigation, traditional flood irrigation has been replaced by drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation technologies. Drip irrigation systems deliver water drop by drop to the roots of crops through pipes, minimizing evaporation and loss. Sprinkler irrigation, like a gentle drizzle, evenly sprinkles water across the fields, ensuring crops receive the necessary water while conserving water resources. It is estimated that adopting drip and sprinkler irrigation technologies has reduced irrigation water consumption in villages by approximately 40%, significantly improving water resource utilization efficiency.
As the pilot program for ecological agriculture progressed, villagers gradually saw tangible results. While crop yields fluctuated slightly initially, they began to steadily increase as the ecosystem stabilized. Moreover, the quality of agricultural products improved dramatically, with better taste and richer nutrition. Old Li, a farmer his entire life, was initially skeptical of ecological agriculture, but when he tasted the vegetables grown using ecological methods in his own village, he couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "These vegetables taste different; they taste like they did when I was a child. It seems that ecological agriculture really has its merits."
Throughout this process, Lin Yue remained by the villagers' side, providing them with technical support and emotional encouragement. She frequently went to the fields herself, working alongside them and teaching them how to make organic fertilizer and properly use biological control tools. Once, a young villager encountered a problem operating a pest pheromone device. Lin Yue patiently explained the principles and demonstrated the operation until he fully grasped it. She smiled and told the villagers, "We are exploring a new path in agriculture. Although we will encounter difficulties, as long as we work together, we will definitely succeed."
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
