New method developed for protecting fertile black soil in northeast China

After years of experimentation, Lishu County in northeast China's Jilin Province, known for its fertile black soil, has developed an effective method for protecting and even enhancing this rare resource. Known as the Lishu Model, this approach utilizes locally grown maize straw to help prevent soil erosion.

Black soil is dubbed the "giant panda of farmland." It is recognized as the most fertile soil in the world.

The black soil in northeast China is one of four major chernozem regions around the world. Covering an area of 1.09 million square kilometers, it is also one of the most fertile regions in the country.

But long-term cultivation and overuse of fertilizers posed threat to the local environment and grain production.

According to Wang Guiman, director of the Agricultural Technology Promotion Center of Lishu County, protective cover is the key to treating black soil in northeast China, where the soil is vulnerable to wind and water erosion.

"Simply speaking, the Lishu Model is to return maize straw to farmland as kind of mulch. More simply speaking, it is like putting on clothes for the farmland or covering it with quilts. The major reasons for black soil degradation are wind and water erosion. So, the straw cover can help the black soil to resist these forms of erosion," Wang said.

Wang said that the Lishu Model can improve fertility while reducing cultivation, as it encourages farmers to use no-tillage sowing which can help to protect the top-layer soil.

"In application of the Lishu Model, on the one hand, our technical system has been largely established. On the other hand, we have successfully developed and upgraded no-till seeders which can work in farmland covered by maize straw," Wang said.

Back in the summer of 2020, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Lishu. He stressed effective measures to protect the black soil for future generations, and said the Lishu Model is worth promoting.

With continuing innovation, the Lishu Model integrates comprehensive soil testing, a fertilization formula, as well as green pest control measures among other techniques.

According to Zhang Yingnan, director of the Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in Lishu County, Xi's visit has encouraged them. Now Lishu's annual grain production has been stable at over two billion kilograms for a prolonged period. And this year the output is expected to exceed 2.25 billion kilograms.

"The agricultural department in Lishu County has strictly followed General Secretary Xi Jinping's instructions in recent years, particularly regarding the protection of black soil, and we have achieved significant results," Zhang said.

New method developed for protecting fertile black soil in northeast China

As the G20 Summit approaches, the leader of Brazil's Landless Workers Movement (MST) calls for deeper Brazil-China collaboration to address critical challenges like food security, education, and renewable energy.

Amid a global decline in American imperialism, Joao Pedro Stedile, leader of the Brazil's Landless Workers Movement, a social movement aimed at land reform, has advocated for a stronger partnership between Brazil and China, aiming at tackling Latin America's persistent social and economic issues.

Stedile criticized the U.S.'s increasing militarism and its pursuit of profit through armed conflict. Instead, he called for a shift toward technology-driven solutions to pressing issues like food and education.

"What we need is to join forces and develop new technologies to solve the population's fundamental problems – which are food and education. We need Chinese technology to increase education programs in Brazil," he said. 

Given Brazil's vast geographical size, Stedile emphasized the importance of investing in high-speed electric trains to improve mobility across the country.

"As Brazil is a continental country, we need high-speed electric trains to transport people and goods. But we don't know how to do it and we don't have the capital. China can do this for us, and then set up Chinese-Brazilian factories," Stedile said.

Looking ahead, the leader expressed optimism about the future of Brazil-China economic integration. He noted that both governments are committed to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership.

The 19th summit of G20 is scheduled from Nov. 18 to 19 in Rio de Janeiro of Brazil.

Brazil's Landless Workers Movement leader advocates for stronger China-Brazil cooperation