China’s Shaanxi dispatches machinery to boost autumn grain harvest efficiency – Xinhua

Report on Agricultural Resilience and Food Security Initiatives in Shaanxi Province

Executive Summary

In October 2025, Shaanxi Province implemented a series of strategic measures to safeguard the autumn grain harvest amidst adverse weather conditions. By deploying advanced technology and establishing robust infrastructure, the province has enhanced its agricultural resilience, directly contributing to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning food security, infrastructure, climate action, and responsible production.

Challenge: Climate-Related Threats to Food Production

The critical autumn grain harvesting period was threatened by continuous rainy weather. This climatic challenge posed a significant risk to crop yield and quality, potentially undermining regional food security and the livelihoods of local farmers. This situation highlights the urgent need for climate adaptation strategies in agriculture, a core component of SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Strategic Interventions and Technological Deployment

To mitigate the impact of the adverse weather, Shaanxi Province initiated a coordinated response focused on improving harvesting and post-harvesting efficiency. This initiative aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by leveraging technology to build a more resilient agricultural sector.

• Advanced Machinery Deployed:
  • Crawler harvesters capable of operating in wet conditions.
  • Mobile grain dryers to reduce moisture content rapidly.
  • Color sorters to ensure grain quality.

Infrastructure and Operational Capacity

A comprehensive support system was established to ensure the successful implementation of these technological solutions. This infrastructure is fundamental to achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by guaranteeing the harvest is secured and processed effectively.

1. Emergency Operation Teams: 476 teams were established to provide rapid, organized support for harvesting operations.
2. Grain Drying Stations: 765 stations were set up across the province, providing critical post-harvest processing facilities.
3. Processing Capacity: The network of drying stations achieved a daily drying capacity of over 70,000 tonnes, significantly reducing the risk of spoilage and food loss.

Direct Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The actions taken by Shaanxi Province provide a clear example of integrated policy-making that advances multiple SDGs simultaneously.

• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): The primary objective of securing the autumn grain harvest directly supports food security. By preventing crop loss due to rain, the province ensures a stable food supply for its population.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The use of mobile dryers and efficient processing stations is a direct measure to reduce post-harvest food losses, a key target under this goal.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The deployment of modern agricultural machinery and the creation of a large-scale network of drying stations represent a significant investment in resilient infrastructure and agricultural innovation.
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): The entire initiative serves as a powerful model for climate change adaptation, demonstrating how to build resilience in food systems against extreme and unpredictable weather patterns.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By protecting crop yields, these measures safeguard the income of farmers, contributing to poverty reduction in rural areas and supporting the local agricultural economy.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article discusses measures to ensure a successful grain harvest, which is the primary source of livelihood for farmers in the region. By protecting crops from adverse weather, these efforts help secure farmers’ income and prevent economic losses that could lead to poverty.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  This is the most directly related SDG. The article focuses on securing the “autumn grain harvest” to guarantee food supply. The efforts to improve harvesting efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses through drying stations are crucial for ensuring food availability and contributing to food security.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article highlights the use of modern machinery like “crawler harvesters, mobile grain dryers, color sorters” to improve agricultural productivity. This technological upgrading in the agricultural sector contributes to economic growth and efficiency.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The establishment of “765 grain drying stations” and the deployment of advanced machinery represent an investment in resilient agricultural infrastructure and innovation. This infrastructure is vital for supporting the agricultural industry, especially in the face of challenges like bad weather.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The entire operation described in the article is a direct response to a climate-related challenge: “continuous rainy weather.” The measures taken, such as deploying specialized equipment and establishing emergency teams, are examples of building resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards affecting agriculture.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 1.5

   “By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.” The article describes actions taken to protect the harvest from “continuous rainy weather,” a climate-related event, thereby building the economic resilience of farming communities.

2. Target 2.4

   “By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production… that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters…” The deployment of crawler harvesters and mobile dryers to cope with rain is a clear implementation of resilient agricultural practices designed to adapt to extreme weather and ensure food production.

3. Target 8.2

   “Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…” The use of advanced machinery (“crawler harvesters, mobile grain dryers, color sorters”) to “improve the harvesting efficiency” is a direct example of technological upgrading to boost productivity in the agricultural sector.

4. Target 9.1

   “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.” The establishment of “765 grain drying stations” constitutes the development of resilient infrastructure to support the agricultural economy and ensure the grain harvest is secured.

5. Target 13.1

   “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The province’s organized response, including the creation of “476 emergency operation teams” and the deployment of specific technology to manage the effects of “continuous rainy weather,” is a direct action to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to a climate-related hazard.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides specific quantitative data that can serve as indicators to measure progress:

• Number of emergency operation teams: The article states that “476 emergency operation teams” have been established. This can be used as an indicator for Target 13.1, measuring the implementation of disaster risk reduction strategies.
• Number of grain drying stations: The establishment of “765 grain drying stations” is a direct indicator of investment in resilient agricultural infrastructure, relevant to Target 9.1.
• Daily drying capacity: The article mentions a “daily drying capacity of over 70,000 tonnes.” This is a performance indicator that measures the operational capacity of the new infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses, relevant to Target 2.4.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: english.news.cn