I see the land as a safety net

About four decades ago, when I was growing up on my parents' farm, the harvest was at the will of the "weather god".

We tried to sow at the best times, but when rainfall was extremely scarce, there was not much to do but watch the tender seedlings wither and die.

The arable fields in my county are mostly on or surrounded by hills. The slopes made it difficult for farmers to walk around or use tractors, so my family used an ox-powered plow. We shared the ox with about four neighbors because none of us could afford it alone.

I started farming full-time after I married in the early 1990s. My husband and I decided to buy an automated seed drill that greatly accelerated sowing and other work.

In addition to the plastic mulch that helps protect my field from drying out in the sun, the agricultural center in the village has provided high-quality seeds that are more resilient to adverse weather conditions.

Experts at the center give us information and teach us how to soak the seeds properly before planting to achieve optimum yields.

In 2006, I learned how to navigate online retail platforms via WeChat. That allows us to promote our products and sell them directly to customers all over the country.

In recent years, thanks to the center's recommendations, I have started planting a species of black peanut in my field.

This new variety has turned out to be quite profitable and compatible with the land.

I still need to adapt better to unpredictable weather conditions and overcome difficulties that might arise due to soil erosion and changes in the climate, but I feel more secure these days. I see the land as a safety net for me and for my family's livelihood.

Li Wenping spoke with Wang Xiaoyu.