Source: CCTV.com

05-07-2006 15:51

Protecting the environment and reducing pesticide residues have become important tasks for China's farmers. Efforts are beginning in some regions to improve the situation.

Zheng Zhenzhai begins work early in the morning.

The 36-year-old farmer works hard, hoping for a good harvest.

Many new facilities in his tomato greenhouse are adding to his confidence.

The drip irrigation system is the most important.

Zheng Zhenzhai, farmer said: "I've used it for quite a few months. It's different from the old way of flood irrigation. It can save fertilizer and water greatly... and it saves me a lot of time too!"

This yellow trap is also a new thing in the greenhouse. It helps reduce pests.

As a result, the amount of pesticides he uses has reduced dramatically.

Zheng Zhenzhai said he's very satisfied with the new techniques.

Zheng said: "The fruit tastes better. Costs have come down, and the yield has increased - so I have more income. People call my tomatoes ‘green vegetables' and say the new techniques are less harmful to the environment."

Zheng Zhenzhai has just graduated from a Farmers Field School.

The training course was part of a Sino-German technical cooperation project looking at Environmental Strategies for Intensive Agriculture in Northern China.

About thirty farmers from north Hebei joined the class.

Wang Chenhui, teacher said: "The course aims to teach farmers how to change their traditional farming methods and to help them understand how important it is to protect the environment."

In many areas in rural China, the excessive use of chemicals - both as pesticides and fertilizers - have polluted both agricultural products and the environment.

The Hebei province project is showing the right direction for improvement.

Tang Tiechao, Hebei Agriculture Office said: "We've seen the successful results of the projects. The task facing us now is to promote the techniques quickly in other areas."

Data from a hundred pilot greenhouses shows that applying these eco-friendly production techniques can reduce the water needed for irrigation water by more than 30 percent. And eighty percent less pesticides and fertilizers can be used.

Zhou Yanyun is one of Zheng Zhenzhai neighbors.

Now, he comes to Zheng's greenhouse for help quite often.

Zhou Yanyun, farmer said: "I'm coming to ask Zheng why did the leaves of my plants are wilting and how to prevent it. I know he has attended the training class. The effects are obvious."

Due to his good performance in the school, Zheng Zhenzhai has been appointed as the local "agriculture teacher" for his village.

Zheng hopes that he can help more farmers to get the know-how, not only for a good harvest, but also for a better environment.

 

Editor:Chen Minji