Contiguous rice paddies reflect the blue sky and white clouds. The spring breeze blows, and the water ripples; several rice transplanting machines move slowly in the fields and plant seeds of hope, disturbing local wildlife. With the approach of the Spring Equinox, farmers in Yakou Village begin to pick up their pace and open the spring ploughing season.

The planting area of early-season rice in Zhongshan is planned to reach about 19,000 mu in 2022, and the busy period is expected to start next week.

The landscape in Yakou Village is currently filled with large tractors ploughing the fields. [Photo by Wen Zhicheng]

Yakou villagers operate the rice transplanters in the fields on March 15. [Photo by Miao Xiaojian]

During spring ploughing, a farming machine draws wonderful arcs in the fields. [Photo by Yu Zhaoyu]

Farmers transport seedlings. [Photo by Wen Zhicheng]

Farming machines save villagers from much physical labor. [Photo by Yu Zhaoyu]

Farmers walk on a ridge early in the morning to begin spring ploughing. [Photo by Wen Zhicheng]