President Xi Jinping visited Dongyujia village in Dezhou, Shandong province, on Wednesday morning to discuss the summer grain harvest and rural life with local farmers.
Xi was pleased to learn that wheat yields had increased by about 300 to 375 kilograms per hectare compared with last year. He encouraged farmers to steadily increase both yields and returns.
He also examined an integrated irrigation and fertilization system, asking about operating costs and fertilizer mix. The technology can raise planting density from around 67,500 to more than 82,500 plants per hectare, increasing average yields by over 10 percent.
Xi then went to nearby Xiyujia village and sat with the family of Yu Xinhui. He asked about jobs, income, elderly family members' health and children's studies.
As he left, Xi told residents they must work together on the new journey of building China into a modern socialist country in all respects to continuously meet the people's aspirations for a better life.
