After a lapse of 43 years since 1979, the third Nationwide Soil Census was launched in February 2022. As a comprehensive testing of national soil (especially arable land quality), the Census is a foundational task for a comprehensive assessment of the current condition and changing trends of soil resources in China, so as to conserve national farmland and improve the overall agricultural production potential, ultimately ensuring national food security. It plays an important role in agricultural ecological security, sustainable development of agriculture, and rural revitalization.
Given the extensive duration, challenging tasks, and the high technical expertise required for the Census, it is crucial to establish a sound system with well-structured organization and efficient coordination. Based on the advantages of agricultural majors, faculties and students of College of Resources & Environment at HZAU have actively participated in the Census, showing their love for the soil and land.
At the technical level, HZAU is the core support for soil census in Hubei. Our faculties, as important technical experts, shared their knowledge and experience of protecting and exploring the soil wherever they went, contributing to every census training service. In addition to technical training, they also set an example by personally taking part in the practical work, regardless of young and old.
Associate Prof. Guo Long collects soil samples in Tianmen City.
“Blazing sun, long journey, high pressure and shared joys and griefs” are the key words that can be used to describe Guo’s work in the Census. During last year’s National Day holiday, Guo, along with his two students and a local villager, carried on soil profile investigation and sampling in Tianmen City. “At that time, the temperature reached 39 degrees Celsius, and there was basically no shade in the field. Exposed to the intense sun, everyone endured the harsh environment without complaining,” recalled Guo. “Some students did even more work than I did, but they persevered. ”
Faculties and students carry out sol investigations at night
In June and July of this year, more than ten teams of faculties went to the townships across the province for field surveys and sample site verification. Professor Liu Fan (Professor Tan Wenfeng’s mentor) is a retired teacher from HZAU. He also put on outdoor clothes and involved in the work at that time. Generations of dedication to land work have led soil workers to develop a deep and abiding passion for the land, which represents a unique romance that is unspoken but understood by all in their field.
Wu Gang, a PhD student at HZAU, once followed his mentor, Hu Hongqing, to participate in the Census. He recalled the scene of him and his teacher wearing rain boots and raincoats, “treasure hunting” in the rain. “Digging for treasure is a joke between us to encourage each other; in fact, we are digging for soil,” Wu said. The attitude of being optimistic and enjoying work was exactly what the team wanted to convey.
Faculties and students of HZAU have taken on the responsibility of strengthening and developing agriculture. They have contributed their wisdom and power to the once-in-forty-years census, engaging in research that is truly grounded in practice for national modernization.
Source: http://news.hzau.edu.cn/2023/1127/68466.shtml
Translated by Chen Yuhan
Proofread by Song Bowen
Supervised by Jin Bei
