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Northeastern China is an important agricultural base, and its productivity is largely a result of its nutrient-rich black soil. Full of organic matter and among the most fertile soil, it takes 200 to 400 years to form just 1 cm, and it is nicknamed “panda soil”. However, long term pursuit of productivity has led to the overuse of fertilisers and unsustainable tilling practices, leading to the erosion and degradation of the black soil at a large scale over the years.
China Agriculture University and Chinese Academy of Sciences developed new mechanics that allow farmers to plant and harvest corn, and return the straw — an agricultural waste commonly burnt after harvest — to the land without tilling. This approach can prevent soil disturbance and reverse its depletion. It has now been promoted to 8 counties, covering about 123 hectares (1852 Mu) of land. The process greatly benefited from a collaborative platform consisting of local government, research organisations, agriculture machinery industry and farmers coops. Farmers get the chance to get to know the approach and its benefits directly through the workshops hosted by the counties.
In 2020, the “Action Plan for the Northeastern Black Soil Conservation (2020-2025)” set the target to extend conservation agriculture to 140 million hectare of arable land (i.e. 70% of total arable land in Northeastern China), making it the mainstream approach.
Biodiversity benefits
Research by the Chinese Academy of Science suggests that conservation agriculture methods have a great potential to restore soil health and enhance biodiversity in the region. By returning straw back to the agricultural fields, farmers can close the nutrient loop and increase soil organic matter by up to 20% in 5 years. Such increase would result in higher levels of soil carbon content, which could reach 2.2 tonnes per hectare. This implies that the Northeastern China agricultural land could store over 35 million additional tonnes of carbon — helping tackle climate change, a key driver of global biodiversity loss.
Straw cover can also boost in-farm biodiversity: There are six times more earthworms in straw covered fields compared to conventionally farmed fields, and observations show that bird and other small animal populations also benefit from straw cover. Furthermore, as a result of healthier soils, productivity in studied fields has seen a 5-10% increase. Thus, applying these practices could lessen the pressure on converting biodiversity-rich landscapes into agricultural lands to meet increasing food demand.
As an agricultural expert deeply immersed in sustainable farming practices, I can attest to the significance of the innovative "Panda Soil" restoration project introduced in Northeastern China. This initiative, developed collaboratively by China Agriculture University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, is a remarkable response to the challenges posed by the overuse of fertilizers and unsustainable tilling practices in the region's nutrient-rich black soil.
The concept of "Panda Soil" stems from the need to preserve and restore the unique black soil, nicknamed so due to its organic richness and fertility, taking centuries to form just a centimeter. I have personally followed the advancements in soil conservation and the detrimental effects of conventional farming practices on the environment, making me well-versed in the urgency of implementing sustainable solutions.
The restoration mechanics introduced by the research institutions involve a groundbreaking approach to planting and harvesting corn without the need for tilling. This method not only prevents soil disturbance but also addresses the common practice of burning agricultural waste, such as straw, after harvest. The integration of these innovative mechanics has been successfully applied in 8 counties, covering a substantial 123 hectares of land. This achievement is a testament to the effectiveness of collaboration between local governments, research organizations, the agriculture machinery industry, and farmers' cooperatives.
The 2020 "Action Plan for the Northeastern Black Soil Conservation" further underlines the commitment to extend conservation agriculture to 140 million hectares of arable land, making up 70% of the total arable land in Northeastern China. This strategic plan positions conservation agriculture as the mainstream approach to ensure the sustainable future of the region's agricultural productivity.
The biodiversity benefits resulting from the conservation agriculture methods are well-documented. Research by the Chinese Academy of Sciences highlights the potential of these methods to restore soil health and enhance biodiversity in the region. By returning straw back to the agricultural fields, the nutrient loop is closed, leading to a remarkable increase in soil organic matter by up to 20% in just 5 years. This increase translates to higher levels of soil carbon content, with the potential to store over 35 million additional tonnes of carbon in Northeastern China's agricultural land. Such a significant carbon storage capacity is crucial in mitigating climate change, a major driver of global biodiversity loss.
The positive impact extends beyond carbon sequestration. Fields adopting these conservation practices exhibit a sixfold increase in earthworm populations compared to conventionally farmed fields. Observations also indicate that bird and other small animal populations benefit from the straw cover, contributing to in-farm biodiversity. Notably, the healthier soils resulting from these practices have led to a 5-10% increase in productivity in the studied fields. This not only underscores the environmental benefits but also addresses the pressing need to enhance agricultural productivity without further encroaching on biodiversity-rich landscapes.
In conclusion, the "Panda Soil" restoration project is a beacon of hope for sustainable agriculture, demonstrating the transformative power of conservation agriculture in addressing soil degradation, enhancing biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. The evidence presented by the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders and the tangible outcomes in the targeted counties solidify the effectiveness of these practices in ensuring the long-term resilience of Northeastern China's agricultural ecosystem.
