The main rice-producing areas in Southwest China are facing production problems such as seasonal drought and engineering water shortage. A green and efficient irrigation and drainage technology system is key to achieving water conservation, stable yield, and high efficiency in the region, and it is of great significance to the food security of China. This study reviews the current status of water use, irrigation, and drainage in the main rice-producing areas in Southwest China, involving Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Chongqing. It examines the basic characteristics and specific technical types of green and efficient irrigation and drainage systems in the areas, and proposes a green and efficient irrigation and drainage technology model that is composed of accurate water demand forecast of paddy fields, precision water distribution management in irrigation areas, efficient water use management in paddy fields, and efficient drainage management in paddy fields. The study found that the main rice-producing areas in Southwest China are rich in water resources but uneven in spatial and temporal distribution of water. The water-saving irrigation and drainage technologies in this region are backward and vary in the applicability of climate conditions, water resources, and topography. Therefore, we propose the following suggestions: (1) developing new technologies for the efficient and coordinated regulation of irrigation and drainage in paddy fields, (2) promoting the green and efficient irrigation and drainage technology system, (3) optimizing the water and fertilizer operation mode, (4) developing an intelligent irrigation system for paddy fields, (5) establishing a paddy field information management system, and (6) building a multi-dimensional technology promotion system, thus to achieve water conservation, pollution control, emission reduction, yield increase, and quality improvement in the main rice-producing areas of Southwest China.

Agricultural whole chain standardization (AWCS) is crucial for ensuring the security and stability of the agricultural industry of China and for promoting the transformation and upgrading of the industry. Currently, AWCS in China is faced with major challenges, including continuous optimization of the standards supply structure, urgent need to enhance the coordination between standards for different links, and prominent linkage barriers. This study analyzes the realistic values of the transformation of AWCS from the aspects of stability and security of the supply chain, smooth flow of elements of all links, innovation of production and operation modes, improvement in brand competitiveness, and low-carbon transformation. Additionally, the study proposes that the transformation of AWCS should focus on the following aspects: (1) comprehensive and complex problems of the industry; (2) coordination of pre-production, production, and post-production standards; (3) effective supply of high-quality standards; and (4) participation of all stakeholders. To the end, it is necessary to improve the effective supply of high-quality standards, promote the coordinated governance of standards across the entire industry chain, establish a connectivity mechanism for local standards, and strengthen the innovation of standards implementation mechanisms.

Currently, the situation of global food security is complicated and severe, and diet-derived chronic diseases are sweeping the world. Meanwhile, the views of "health-centered", "nutritional diversity", and "Food is Medicine" have become the general consensus. Using agricultural biodiversity to explore a new generation of crops that are both high-yield and nutritious has become an international trend, and Huangjing (i.e., Polygonati rhizoma) has notable characteristics and advantages. To fully unleash the potentials of Huangjing, this study systematically summarizes its history as both food and medicine, material basis of nutrition and efficacy as forest grain, as well as resource distribution and food production potentials. Huangjing does not contain starch, but rich in nutrients such as fructans with a complex structure, easy degradation, and energy, which is vital for serving life and health. Huangjing is suitable for in-forest planting or intercropping with maize and does not take up the farmland or compete for forest land. It has enormous production capacities and is crucial for ensuring food security. Huangjing is suitable for planting and processing in thousands of households, with good economic benefits, and is of great significance for achieving common prosperity. However, the Huangjing industry of China currently faces multiple challenges in terms of basic research, application technologies, as well as cultural heritage and policy support. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen research on the basic sciences and application technologies of the industry. Meanwhile, we suggest to incorporate Huangjing production into the policy and funding guarantee system for woody grain and oil, integrate Huangjing application into the healthcare and population health planning, and regard the Huangjing industry as an important carrier for rural revitalization and common prosperity, thus to establish a complete innovation and application system covering the entire industrial chain.

Conservation tillage is a technology regarding sustainable agricultural development, which features less or no tillage and crop stubble covering and has brought significant economic, environmental, and social benefits to China's agricultural production. As agricultural production in China develops toward the directions of large scale, high efficiency, and intelligence, promoting the development of conservation tillage becomes conducive to cultivated land protection, grain supply security, and agricultural technology improvement. This study reviews the development process of conservation tillage in China from the aspects of research and development of conservation tillage technologies and equipment, demonstration and ability construction, and utilization of black soil in Northeast China. It also summarizes the development status of conservation tillage technologies and equipment in China, involving representative technical models and key machines for surface straw and stubble treatment, shallow soil tillage, and no- or less-tillage sowing. The major factors that affect the development of conservation tillage in China are analyzed, including suitable model and equipment, support of laws and policies, and drive of large-scale planting households. Furthermore, suggestions are proposed to promote the rapid and stable development of conservation tillage in China. First, a national science and technology innovation platform should be built and high-standard demonstration projects should be implemented by counties. Second, national action plans on conservation tillage should be implemented to strengthen policy guidance. Third, publicity of conservation tillage should be further strengthened.