China: STMA Issues Opinions on Leaf Tobacco Production Field Mechanization

Source from:  TobaccoChina Online 02/25/2013

The State Tobacco Monopoly Administration (STMA) – the regulator of China's tobacco industry – issued on February 7 the Opinions on the Work of Leaf Tobacco Production Field Mechanization in 2013, emphasizing acceleration of efforts to realize mechanization in the whole process of leaf tobacco production and realize reduction of manpower and costs and increase of efficiency.

With the orientation of development of a modern tobacco agriculture playing the leading role, in accordance with the general requirement of "whole-process coverage, scientific distribution, doing what is easy first and what is difficult second, implementation unit by unit and orderly promotion", and with promotion and generalization of leaf tobacco production field mechanization as the ground, importance shall be attached to the generalization and application of advanced, applicable, safe, reliant, energy-saving and environment-friendly products of farm machinery that are badly needed for tobacco production, to accelerate realization of mechanization in the whole process of leaf tobacco production, the opinions emphasizes.

The opinions points out that in realization of mechanization in the whole process of leaf tobacco production, the working principle of "doing what is easy first and what is difficult second, making breakthrough in key points and unit by unit promotion" shall be adhered to.

Regionally, mechanization in leaf tobacco production shall be firstly generalized and realized in flatland areas. Tobacco-producing zones in hilly areas shall adjust measures to local conditions and have appropriate development. Mountainous areas shall actively make explorations, and make progress on a gradual basis.

Categorically, applicable and general machinery and relatively sophisticated specialized machinery shall be firstly generalized. Vigorous efforts shall be made to promote mechanized operation in such processes as ridge forming, fertilization, mulching and transplantation, and promote the work of leaf tobacco production field mechanization with units of exclusive high-quality leaf tobacco production and supply bases as carriers.

The opinions emphasizes that in 2013, efforts shall be made to break the bottlenecks of production and use of farm machinery and equipment and specialized service provision; well solve the three crucial problems of market access, procurement and maintenance and repair of products of farm machinery; promote leaf tobacco production field mechanization in units of exclusive high-quality leaf tobacco production and supply bases; promote farm machinery and equipment and mechanized operation to higher levels on a full scale; and realize reduction of manpower and costs and increase of efficiency.

The opinions requires practical efforts to do a good job of strengthening organization and leadership, establishing the system of market access of farm machinery, making rational procurement of farm machinery, strengthening the use and management of farm machinery, promoting specialized service of farm machinery to higher levels, establishing and improving networks of farm machinery maintenance and repair, and well accomplishing other essential work, to ensure realization of practical effects in this endeavor. Enditem