Protecting Black Soil for a More Secure National Granary

Original Title: Protecting Black Soil for a More Secure National Granary

“We must take effective measures to protect the black soil, which is the ‘giant panda of cultivated land,’ and preserve it for future generations.”

— July 22, 2020, emphasized during an inspection in Jilin

How to balance the protection and utilization of black soil has been a constant concern.

“This work is very important!” emphasized during the July 2020 inspection in Jilin, “Northeast China is one of the world’s three major black soil regions, known as the ‘Golden Corn Belt’ and ‘Home of Soybeans.’ While black soil is highly productive, it also faces issues of fertility depletion. We must take effective measures to protect this ‘giant panda of cultivated land’ and preserve it for future generations.”

This golden autumn brought good news from the black soil region: In Baiquan County’s Xinsheng Township, Yongfa Village, Heilongjiang Province, a previously eroded gully area now yields “ton-grain fields” — with corn production exceeding 1,000 kilograms per mu! Before treatment in 2021, the yield was only 300 kilograms per mu.

Erosion gullies, formed by heavy rain erosion, consume farmland and fragment fields. Heilongjiang Province has 115,500 erosion gullies totaling 45,000 kilometers in length.

The 2025 Central Document No. 1 proposed “strengthening erosion gully treatment in Northeast China’s black soil region.” To treat Yongfa Village’s 2,810-meter-long erosion gully, Baiquan County invested 3.8 million yuan, implementing slope cutting, stone cage construction, and shrub planting, reducing the 20-meter-deep gully to 5 meters.

“‘Fragmented land’ has been restored to ‘whole fields,’ and the black soil that had become thinner, poorer, and harder in recent years now glistens with richness again,” said Yongfa Village resident Yang Weijie, holding a handful of soil. Of Old Yang’s 120 mu of farmland, nearly 50 mu bordered erosion gullies, all of which have now been treated and reclaimed.

It was pointed out: “The foundation of grain production lies in cultivated land, its lifeline in water conservancy, its future in technology, and its driving force in policy. These key points must be implemented one by one and carried through to completion.”

During the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, 14.406 billion yuan in central funds were allocated to Northeast China’s black soil region, treating 57,300 developing erosion gullies, protecting approximately 13.74 million mu of farmland, and increasing annual grain production by about 330 million jin.

Covering black soil with “blankets” — straw returning subsidies of 20 yuan per mu; “loosening the soil” — deep plowing subsidies of 30 yuan per mu; letting black soil “breathe” — crop rotation subsidies of 150 yuan per mu… Over the year, Old Yang received nearly 20,000 yuan in various black soil protection subsidies.

Through storing grain in the land and technology, Old Yang also benefited from soil testing and formulated fertilization services, allowing the black soil to “eat” balanced nutrient meals. In 2024, the average organic matter content in Heilongjiang Province’s soil reached 40.3 grams per kilogram, an increase of 4.1 grams per kilogram from 2016.

“Black soil generates ‘gold,’ stimulating farmers’ internal motivation,” said the Director of Water and Soil Conservation at Heilongjiang Provincial Water Resources Department. Baiquan County is the only national high-quality water and soil conservation development pilot zone in Northeast China’s black soil region and also serves as a grassroots research point.

Accompanying the Songliao Water Resources Commission research team, walking along field ridges to understand local needs. In 2024, additional national bond funds supported the treatment of 27,700 erosion gullies in Northeast China’s black soil region, equivalent to the total workload of the past decade. Since treatment cannot rely entirely on allocations, many areas are exploring ecological product value transformation. Addressing challenges in valuation,抵押, and monetization, the research team reported local demands to relevant departments, receiving prompt responses.

“Ministry-province coordination and central-local collaboration are paving new paths for black soil protection,” said the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Department of Water and Soil Conservation. From May to June last year, accompanying an inspection team to Heilongjiang to conduct field research on erosion gully treatment, and based on

Black Soil

“Black Soil” refers to the fertile chernozem regions of Ukraine, which are renowned for some of the world’s most productive agricultural land. Historically, this rich soil supported the agrarian Scythian and Cimmerian cultures and later became the breadbasket for various empires, including the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Today, it remains a vital component of Ukraine’s economy and cultural identity.

Northeast China

Northeast China, historically known as Manchuria, is a region comprising the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. It was the homeland of the Manchu people, who established the Qing Dynasty, the last imperial dynasty of China. The region later became a major industrial base in the 20th century, often referred to as the “Rust Belt” of China.

Golden Corn Belt

The “Golden Corn Belt” is not a specific cultural or historical site, but a nickname for a major agricultural region in the United States. It primarily refers to the Midwestern states like Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska, which became the nation’s leading producers of corn following the development of hybrid seeds and modern farming techniques in the 20th century. This area’s history is deeply tied to the agricultural transformation that established the U.S. as a global leader in corn production.

Home of Soybeans

The “Home of Soybeans” refers to Northeast China, particularly the Heilongjiang region, which is the heartland of soybean cultivation in the country. Historically, soybeans have been domesticated in China for thousands of years, with this northern region becoming the modern agricultural powerhouse for its production. This area’s fertile plains and climate are ideal for growing the vast majority of China’s soybeans, a crop deeply embedded in the nation’s food culture and economy.

Baiquan County

Baiquan County is a county-level administrative region located in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China. Historically, it has been an agricultural area, with its development closely tied to land reclamation and farming in the Songnen Plain. The county’s name, which translates to “Hundred Springs,” reflects its geographical character.

Heilongjiang Province

Heilongjiang Province is a northeastern Chinese region bordering Russia, historically known as the homeland of the Manchu people and the later Qing Dynasty. Its modern history was heavily shaped by 20th-century events, including Russian and Japanese influence and significant industrial development. Today, it is famous for its harsh winters, ice festivals, and unique blend of Chinese and Russian cultural influences.

Songliao Water Resources Commission

The Songliao Water Resources Commission is a governmental agency established in 1958 to manage the water resources of the Songhua and Liao River basins in Northeast China. Its primary role is to oversee flood control, water allocation, and hydro-project planning for this critical agricultural and industrial region. The commission’s work has been instrumental in mitigating floods and supporting the water security and economic development of the area.

14th Five-Year Plan

The “14th Five-Year Plan” is not a physical place or cultural site, but a strategic blueprint for China’s national development from 2021 to 2025. It outlines key economic and social goals, focusing on technological self-reliance, green development, and high-quality growth. Historically, it continues China’s series of five-year plans, a policy framework used since 1953 to guide the country’s economic and social direction.