On January 24, the School of Rural Revitalization held a field observation and farmer training event in Qixia District, Nanjing, focusing on key technologies in the carbon-based rice industry chain. The event was attended by Vice President Liu Guiyou, along with officials from the provincial Department of Science and Technology, municipal agricultural authorities, and over 100 large-scale growers, family farm owners, and cooperative leaders from the Nanjing area.
Field Observation
Participants toured the straw carbonization facility, where they viewed the pyrolysis reactor, exhaust gas treatment system, and charcoal powder equipment. The technical team explained equipment performance, energy use, and material compatibility. They introduced biochar-based organic fertilizers, made from straw-derived biochar blended with nutrients and beneficial microbes. These fertilizers improve soil, release nutrients slowly, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, and help store carbon. The technology was widely seen as a mature, low-carbon, and easily adoptable solution for making better use of straw and improving soil quality.
Training Session
Project lead Professor Yuan Cansheng addressed key issues in rural revitalization, such as overuse of fertilizer and high costs. He explained how biochar-based technologies can cut inputs while boosting yields, introduced the basics of biomass carbonization, and gave step-by-step guidance on applying carbon-based rice techniques suited to local soil conditions. Associate Professor Wang Lin covered soil improvement and green rice production, focusing on soil conditioning, tailored fertilization, and precise application to help farmers adopt more efficient and environmentally friendly practices. The team also answered practical questions from participants on topics like cost control and long-term soil management.
The event raised awareness of carbon-based rice production technologies and built consensus on their wider adoption. The project team will continue refining the technologies and expanding demonstration efforts to support agricultural advancement in Jiangsu.