Villagers in Mondrongang village, Nedong district of Lhokha, Xizang autonomous region, are currently busy harvesting autumn highland barley. [Photo by Guo Yuhe/For chinadaily.com.cn]

For villagers in the Nedong district of Lhokha in the Xizang autonomous region who are currently busy harvesting autumn highland barley, the integration of agricultural technology has led to standardized cultivation and improved seed varieties.

Highland barley, or qingke, is the primary grain crop in Xizang and is deeply embedded in local culture, serving as the main ingredient for traditional staples like tsampa and barley wine.

Six years ago, Nedong district was designated as one of Xizang's key demonstration zones for the barley industry technology system, pioneering modernized farming practices.

In Mondrongang village, 47-year-old farmer Dawa Chozom sits chatting leisurely with her neighbors, waiting for machinery coordinated by the local village committee to harvest the crops on her 1.33 hectares of land.

Villagers in Mondrongang village, Nedong district of Lhokha, Xizang autonomous region, are currently busy harvesting autumn highland barley. [Photo by Guo Yuhe/For chinadaily.com.cn]

For villagers in the Nedong district of Lhokha in the Xizang autonomous region who are currently busy harvesting autumn highland barley, the integration of agricultural technology has led to standardized cultivation and improved seed varieties.

Highland barley, or qingke, is the primary grain crop in Xizang and is deeply embedded in local culture, serving as the main ingredient for traditional staples like tsampa and barley wine.

Six years ago, Nedong district was designated as one of Xizang's key demonstration zones for the barley industry technology system, pioneering modernized farming practices.

In Mondrongang village, 47-year-old farmer Dawa Chozom sits chatting leisurely with her neighbors, waiting for machinery coordinated by the local village committee to harvest the crops on her 1.33 hectares of land.

Villagers in Mondrongang village, Nedong district of Lhokha, Xizang autonomous region, are currently busy harvesting autumn highland barley. [Photo by Guo Yuhe/For chinadaily.com.cn]

"Manual harvesting used to take about half a month, but with machines, it takes just seven to eight days," she said.

Under a village service program, farmers pay a subsidized rate of 30 yuan ($4.45) per 0.66 hectare for a comprehensive service that includes machinery, operators, sowing and harvesting.

Phuntsok Dhondup, an official in the Mondrongang community, outlined the comprehensive support provided to villagers. "We introduce high-yielding seeds directly to the fields and offer government-subsidized fertilizers at below-market prices," he said.

"We also arrange expert-led training sessions so that villagers can learn to operate advanced equipment like drones and balers themselves."

Lhokha's government has deployed multidisciplinary technical service groups to provide over 120 days of field support and conduct more than 310 training sessions.

A view of the highland barley fields ready for harvest in Nedong district. [Photo by Li Jiexia/For chinadaily.com.cn]