Seeds should be spread evenly in a consistent sowing depth, without missing seeds in some sections of ridges. The soil should be compacted promptly after sowing. Especially for those using wheat seeders, it is necessary to block one row at a time and bring a compaction wheel to ensure proper row spacing and improve germination rates. Depending on water conditions and soil moisture, the number of compactions can be increased to improve germination.

Source: Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS)

Sowing with a drill, sowing with a plough and mechanical sowing. Sowing with a drill is generally done with animal traction, assisted by people to simultaneously complete ditch opening and seeding. People can sow one or more rows at one time. Sowing with a plough typically involves animals pulling the plough to open ditches, with special tools used for scattering seeds, followed by soil covering. Mechanical sowing is generally powered by hand-held tractors or large specialized machinery.

Source: Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS)

First, weeds will increase. Second, there will be intensified occurrence of pests and diseases. Third, it is unfavorable to recover and improve soil fertility. Fourth, it is prone to cause the lack of seedlings in some sections of ridges where millet are planted.

Source: Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS)

Because of their small seed size, millet risk exhausting their energy reserves to emerge from the soil surface if planted too deep. Therefore, it's recommended to choose higher lands with soft and loose fertile sandy loam soil that has good drainage and infiltration of water and air, easy to work.

Source: Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS)

The degree to which heat resources and water resources are sufficient.

Source: Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS)

Sowing Seeds - Seed Germination - Elongation - Heading - Flowering - Ripening

Source: Zhangjiakou Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS)

Small farmers with different dry agricultural products are different. Generally, a 2-ton equipment can be used for vegetable production on about 5 acres, and a 2-ton equipment can be used for fruit production on about 10 acres; A 2-ton equipment can be used in conjunction with a grain area of about 15 acres. The price of the 2-ton equipment is around 150000 RMB, and the operating cost is very low.

(1) Advantages: Clean and hygienic, with no pollution to materials and the environment; Solar energy is inexhaustible and there is no problem of energy depletion; Solar energy is ubiquitous and does not require extraction or transportation; During the drying process, other energy consumption is low and operating costs are low.

(2) Challenge: Stability issues, limited by weather conditions, requiring matching with other energy sources in rainy weather and at night; Cost issue, the cost of disposable equipment is higher than that of coal; Efficiency issue, low drying temperature, temperature below 70 ℃, not suitable for high-temperature drying.

Solar drying facilities can be promoted to other countries. Countries or regions where the temperature is above 15 ℃ on sunny days during the harvest of agricultural products can promote the application of solar drying facilities.

Firstly, establish laws and policies especially for farmers’ cooperatives, clarify administrative department responsible for the management and development of the farmers’ cooperatives. Then, take some measure to lead farmers’ cooperatives have a better development. For example, to give full play to the roles of demonstration farmers’ cooperatives, to empower farmers’ cooperatives by mutual cooperation,  to innovate the guidance and service system, etc. 

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