The "Opinions" of the Ministry of Agriculture guide the mechanized production of cotton

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture issued the "Guiding Opinion on Cotton Mechanization Production Technology in the Cotton Region of the Yellow River Basin". The "Opinions" highlights the combination of agronomy and agronomy, and put forward clear requirements around pre-broadcast preparation, cultivation, field management, mechanical harvesting, machine cotton picking and processing.

The Opinions were formulated to address the characteristics of mechanized cotton production and ecological conditions in the cotton fields of the Yellow River Basin, aiming at strengthening the integration of agricultural machinery and agronomy, improving the level of mechanized operations, promoting the improvement of varieties of cotton, the scale and standardization of cultivation, the simplification of daily management, and the entire production process. Mechanization promotes the development of the cotton industry.

The "Opinions" require all localities to organize experimental demonstrations on the basis of technical guidance and local actual conditions, to refine the technical content, and to explore a rational production model for full mechanization. Focusing on the weak links in cotton mechanization production, we will provide technical guidance and training, promote improved varieties of cotton production, standardize planting, simplify management, and fully mechanize production, and gradually establish and improve cotton mechanized production technology systems.

It is reported that cotton is one of China's main economic crops. Second only to grain's second largest crop, the total cotton output in 2011 is about 6.6 million tons, and China's annual cotton consumption is 30% to 40% dependent on imports. Cotton is a commodity that involves the two major industries of agriculture and textile industry. It is the main source of more than 100 million cotton farmers in the country. Cotton production directly affects the income of farmers and agricultural development. The issuance of "Technical Guidelines for Cotton Mechanization Production in the Cotton Region of the Yellow River Basin" is of practical and far-reaching significance for accelerating mechanization of cotton production, realizing cost-saving and efficiency enhancement and maintaining stable development.