Abstract:

To comprehensively explore the potential for large-scale yield increase in rice and wheat crops and enhance food security capacity in Jiangsu Province and nationwide, this study takes Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province, as a case study. We analyzed the production status, trends in cultivated area and yield, and economic benefits of rice and wheat cultivation in the region. Constraints on large-scale yield improvement in rice-wheat rotation systems were elaborated from multiple dimensions, including climate change, infrastructure, technology application, farmer capacity, and policy-market dynamics. Aligning with the key priorities of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Jiangsu Province for large-scale yield improvement in grain crops, the study explored the potential for yield improvement through approaches such as variety enhancement, technological innovation, resource allocation, and policy optimization. Furthermore, we proposed countermeasures across five aspects: moderate-scale operation, scientific and technological innovation, standardized production, specialized services, and cultivation of the “new farmers” group, to chart a comprehensive and feasible pathway for Huai'an City to advance large-scale yield improvement in rice-wheat rotation systems. The findings not only offer guidance for boosting grain crop yields in Huai'an but also provide theoretical reference for enhancing food security in similar regions across Jiangsu Province and China.

Key words: rice-wheat rotation, yield improvement, constraints, development potential, countermeasures