Throughout the entire ecological agriculture practice, Lin Yue was always hands-on. Every day, she would go to the fields to check on the crops, work alongside the villagers, and share her experience. Once, a villager noticed that the rice was slightly yellowing and anxiously approached Lin Yue. After careful observation, Lin Yue determined that it was due to recent heavy rainfall causing nutrient loss from the soil. She immediately organized the villagers to prepare an organic nutrient solution rich in nitrogen, potassium, and other elements, which they applied as a foliar spray to replenish the rice's nutrients. Under her guidance, the rice quickly recovered. Lin Yue smiled and reassured the villagers, "Don't worry, these are just minor problems that may arise in ecological agriculture. As long as we identify them promptly and handle them correctly, it won't affect the harvest."
As time went by, the crops in the pilot ecological agriculture fields gradually revealed their unique charm. The rice harvested in the golden autumn, the heavy ears swaying in the breeze, seemingly proclaiming the success of ecological agriculture. Measurements showed that while the yield per mu (a Chinese unit of area, approximately 0.067 hectares) of this ecological rice paddy was 5%-10% lower than that of high-yield fields using large amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, its superior quality commanded a market price 30%-50% higher than ordinary rice, resulting in considerable overall economic benefits. The vegetable fields were even more vibrant, with various vegetables fresh, green, and delicious, enjoying great popularity in the market. Mr. Wang, a vegetable grower in the village, happily said, "These ecological vegetables are truly different; they taste sweet and delicious, and people in the city are scrambling to buy them. My income has more than doubled compared to before."
However, the practice of ecological agriculture is not without its challenges, with extreme weather events proving particularly difficult. During the rainy season, rice paddies face the threat of flooding. Lin Yue led the villagers in developing a comprehensive drainage system in advance, deepening and widening the ditches around the rice paddies to ensure timely drainage of rainwater. Simultaneously, they planted water-resistant aquatic plants such as water chestnuts and calamus in the paddies. These aquatic plants not only absorb excess water but also purify the water to some extent. After a heavy rain, some traditional rice paddies in the surrounding area suffered severe flooding and lodging of rice, while the ecological rice paddies, thanks to their excellent drainage system and the buffering effect of the aquatic plants, experienced less damage. Only a small amount of rice lodged in some peripheral areas, and with timely straightening and subsequent management, yield loss was kept below 10%.
During droughts, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems played a crucial role. However, for some farmland located at higher elevations and far from water sources, Lin Yue organized villagers to adopt rainwater harvesting and storage methods. Small reservoirs were built near the farmland to collect rainwater and spring water for emergencies. Simultaneously, a layer of straw or dry grass was laid on the soil surface to reduce water evaporation. During a drought lasting nearly a month, these measures enabled crops in the ecological farmland to maintain normal growth, while crops in some traditional farmland suffered stunted growth and significant yield reductions due to water shortages.
Cold waves significantly impact vegetable cultivation. Lin Yue guided villagers to adopt methods such as covering greenhouses with insulating materials, including adding quilts and straw mats, and laying mulch inside to raise soil temperature. Simultaneously, they planted cold-resistant plants like spinach and coriander around the vegetables, creating a small, ecologically insulated community. During one strong cold wave, the temperature inside the ecological greenhouses was 5-8°C higher than the outside temperature. The vegetables suffered significantly less frost damage than traditionally grown vegetables; only a few leaves showed minor frost damage, which, after timely treatment, did not significantly affect yield.
Different ecological agricultural models have varying feasibility and potential benefits in villages. One example is the three-dimensional agricultural model, where medicinal herbs are intercropped with poultry in orchards. Fruit trees provide shade for the herbs, their roots improve soil structure, and poultry forage for pests and weeds, their droppings fertilizing both the trees and herbs. This model makes full use of space and resources, increasing land productivity. It is estimated that with proper management, the overall income per acre of orchard using a three-dimensional agricultural model can be 50%-80% higher than simply planting fruit trees. Another example is the circular agricultural model, where livestock manure is fermented and used as fertilizer for crops, and crop waste is used as livestock feed or compost, forming a closed ecological cycle. This model reduces resource waste and environmental pollution, and lowers production costs. For instance, a small-scale circular agricultural unit combining livestock farming and crop cultivation can reduce fertilizer purchase costs by approximately 30% annually while improving the quality of agricultural products and increasing market competitiveness.
Initially, the villagers were skeptical of the results of ecological agriculture practices. Lin Yue actively persuaded them, organizing several ecological agriculture achievement exhibitions. At these exhibitions, she meticulously compared the quality differences between ecological and traditional agricultural products, using scientific data to demonstrate that ecological products had higher nutritional content and lower pesticide residues. She also invited agricultural experts to the village to give lectures, explaining the importance of ecological agriculture for soil improvement, environmental protection, and sustainable development. For example, experts pointed out that long-term adoption of ecological agriculture models can gradually improve soil fertility and reduce soil erosion, while traditional agriculture's over-reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides leads to soil degradation. Simultaneously, Lin Yue led the villagers to visit successful ecological agriculture cases in the surrounding area, allowing them to witness firsthand the economic and ecological benefits of ecological agriculture. During a visit to an ecological farm, the villagers saw that the agricultural products there commanded high prices and were in high demand, and the farm boasted a beautiful environment and rich biodiversity. After a series of persuasive efforts, the villagers' attitudes gradually changed, from initial skepticism and observation to active participation. Some villagers who had initially opposed the practice also began to try adopting some ecological agriculture techniques in their own farmland.
Ecological farming practices have had a positive interactive impact on the ecosystems surrounding the village. The ecosystems of the adjacent forests and farmland are closely linked. Due to reduced pesticide use, the number of birds in the forests has increased; they forage for pests in the farmland and also bring some plant seeds from the forest to the farmland, promoting the enrichment of vegetation along the farmland edges. Bird observation data shows that the number of insectivorous birds in the forests surrounding the ecological farming practice areas has increased by approximately 20% compared to before. Wetland ecosystems have also benefited from ecological farming. The partially purified water discharged from the farmland flows into the wetlands, providing nutrients for wetland organisms, resulting in more abundant growth of aquatic plants and providing more habitat for fish and amphibians. For example, the area of lotus flowers in the wetlands has expanded by approximately 30% compared to before, and the variety and number of fish have also increased.
The success of these ecological agriculture pilot projects has not only brought tangible economic benefits to the villagers, but more importantly, it has allowed them to witness firsthand the enormous potential and bright future of ecological agriculture. Like a seed of hope, it has taken root and sprouted in the village, gradually changing the villagers' traditional understanding and perceptions of agriculture, laying a solid foundation for the comprehensive transformation of village agriculture. Looking at the bountiful fields, Lin Yue felt a surge of satisfaction and pride. She knew that they were on a green and sustainable path of agricultural development, and the future held limitless possibilities.
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