April is mid-spring in China, a critical time for both planting and field management. With warming temperatures and sufficient rainfall, farmers across different provinces are preparing fields, sowing spring crops, and managing early-planted winter crops. It is one of the busiest and most productive times in Chinese agriculture.
Key Crops Planted in April
1. Early Rice (Zao Dao)
- Regions: Southern provinces – Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian
- Details: April is the transplanting time for early-season rice
- Harvest: Expected by July
- Irrigation: Paddy fields are flooded; water levels closely managed
2. Corn (Maize)
- Regions: Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Northeast China
- Details: Spring corn sowing starts in April
- Use: Food, feed, and industrial processing
- Note: Hybrid and short-season corn varieties are commonly used
3. Soybeans (Da Dou)
- Regions: Heilongjiang and Northeast China
- Details: Field preparation begins in April; sowing begins late April–early May
- Importance: China aims to reduce soybean imports by increasing local output
4. Peanuts (Hua Sheng)
- Regions: Shandong, Henan, Hebei
- Details: Sowing begins now in well-drained, sandy soil
- Uses: Edible oil and snacks; also improves soil fertility
Ongoing Activities in April
1. Wheat Field Management
- Winter wheat planted in October is now in jointing or booting stage
- Farmers apply fertilizer, fungicides, and irrigation
- Targeted regions: North China Plain (Hebei, Henan, Jiangsu)
2. Rapeseed Bloom and Protection
- Rapeseed fields are in full bloom in provinces like Sichuan and Hubei
- Bee pollination and pest control are key activities
- Harvest expected in May
3. Tea Harvest Begins
- Famous teas like Longjing (Dragon Well) and Biluochun are harvested in Zhejiang and Jiangsu
- High market demand for fresh spring tea boosts income
Regional Highlights
| Region |
Main Activities |
| South China |
Early rice transplanting, vegetable farming |
| East China |
Wheat care, rapeseed flowering, tea picking |
| Northeast |
Field prep for soybeans and corn |
| North China |
Corn and peanut sowing, greenhouse vegetables |
Income and Production Outlook (2025)
| Crop |
Avg. Yield (ton/ha) |
Selling Price (CNY/ton) |
Notes |
| Rice |
6.5 – 7.5 |
¥2500 – ¥3000 |
2–3 harvests per year in South |
| Corn |
6 – 8 |
¥2200 – ¥2800 |
Used in food and feed |
| Soybean |
1.8 – 2.5 |
¥4000 – ¥4500 |
National push for higher output |
| Peanut |
3 – 4 |
¥5000 – ¥6000 |
High oil yield crop |
| Tea |
0.5 – 0.8 (leaf) |
¥8000 – ¥20,000+ |
Premium for early spring teas |
Lessons for Other Countries
- Multi-Cropping: In southern China, farmers grow 2–3 crops a year using climate-smart rotation.
- Efficient Land Use: Small land areas are used intensively with intercropping and mixed farming.
- Technology Integration: Use of drones, soil sensors, and weather data is growing.
- Cooperative Farming: Many farmers join cooperatives for shared equipment and market access.
- Water Management: Precision irrigation and paddy water saving techniques are widely adopted.
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