Core Viewpoint - The research team from South China Agricultural University conducted a two-day field study in Maonan District, focusing on the development of特色农业 (specialty agriculture) and the local industries of lychee and tilapia [2][3][11]. Group 1: Research Activities - The research team, consisting of over 40 faculty and students, visited ancient lychee orchards and a national modern agricultural industrial park for tilapia [2][3]. - The team explored the cultural significance of the lychee industry and assessed the current state of tilapia farming and processing [4][12]. Group 2: Lychee Industry Insights - Maonan is renowned for its ancient lychee trees, with 4,996 trees over 100 years old, including 496 that are over 1,000 years old [7][8]. - The oldest lychee tree is approximately 1,938 years old, showcasing the historical depth of the region's agricultural heritage [8][10]. Group 3: Tilapia Industry Development - Maonan is recognized as the "Tilapia Capital of China," with a total aquaculture area of 50,800 acres, of which 95% is dedicated to tilapia farming [11][12]. - The region has established a national tilapia breeding farm and several standardized breeding demonstration farms, with an expected annual production of 2 billion high-quality tilapia fry by 2025 [13][14]. Group 4: Industry Chain Understanding - The research team gained insights into the complete industrial chain of tilapia, from seedling research and breeding to processing and distribution [17]. - Visits to local companies provided practical experience and knowledge about the operational models within the tilapia industry [19]. Group 5: Environmental Awareness - The team also visited ecological parks and museums, reflecting on the transformation of abandoned mining sites into green spaces, emphasizing the concept of sustainable development [21][22]. Group 6: Student Engagement and Perspectives - Following the field study, students debated whether Maoming should prioritize modern agricultural industry chains or focus on industrial system upgrades, enhancing their understanding of the complexities of industry development [23][24]. - Students expressed a strengthened commitment to agricultural development after witnessing the joy of farmers during harvest [25].

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes the active exploration of characteristic agricultural development paths in regions like Henan, Shandong, and Jiangsu, focusing on modernizing agricultural operations and expanding income channels for farmers [1][2] - Characteristic agriculture in China has reached a certain scale, with significant increases in the total volume and quality of characteristic agricultural products, leading to the rapid growth of leading enterprises and the creation of well-known brands [1][2] - In the first half of 2024, revenue from large-scale agricultural processing enterprises reached 8.7 trillion yuan, and by November 2024, there were 915 regional agricultural image brands and nearly 10,000 industry brands [1][2] Group 2 - Recent policies have been introduced to support the development of characteristic agriculture, including the emphasis on local conditions to promote characteristic industries and the implementation of agricultural brand cultivation plans [2][3] - The "No. 1 Central Document" for 2024 highlights the importance of developing rural characteristic industries and optimizing agricultural brand policies, which have shown clear results in practice [2][3] - Challenges in characteristic agriculture include resource homogeneity, short industrial chains, low added value of products, and insufficient technological support, which need to be addressed for sustainable development [2][3] Group 3 - The development of rural characteristic industries should align with market mechanisms and industry rules, promoting urban-rural integration and enhancing the agricultural industrial chain [3][4] - Agricultural enterprises are encouraged to leverage local resources for integrated development and to explore new business models such as agritourism [4] - Improving the quality of talent training in agriculture is essential, focusing on cultivating technical talent and attracting external expertise to support the sustainable development of characteristic agriculture [4]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significant progress made in soil geochemical surveys in southern Xinjiang, which is crucial for agricultural development and resource management, particularly emphasizing the identification of selenium-rich lands and the establishment of a geochemical monitoring network [1][4][14]. Group 1: Project Overview - Since 2016, the Xi'an Geological Survey Center has led a geochemical survey covering nearly 210,000 square kilometers in southern Xinjiang, collecting and analyzing 24,000 soil samples to assess 54 chemical elements [1][4]. - The project has involved multiple organizations, including the Xinjiang Geological Research Institute and the Xinjiang Water and Environmental Geological Survey Center, creating a comprehensive geochemical mapping of the region [5][14]. Group 2: Soil Quality and Agricultural Potential - The evaluation indicates that 99.8% of the surveyed farmland is free from heavy metal pollution, with 33.4% classified as strongly alkaline soil (pH ≥ 8.5) [6]. - High-quality farmland has been identified, with 908,100 acres classified as premium farmland, representing 2.19% of the total cultivated area [6]. - The survey has delineated potential backup agricultural land resources totaling 4,084,500 acres in the Kashgar and Kizilsu regions [6]. Group 3: Selenium Resource Development - A "selenium belt" has been identified, covering nearly 4.9 million acres of selenium-rich land, with 1.13 million acres classified as selenium-rich farmland, accounting for 27% of the cultivated area in southern Xinjiang [9]. - The project has also identified significant areas of calcium, magnesium, and molybdenum-rich soils, with calcium-rich land covering 99.3% of the oasis area [9]. Group 4: Economic and Agricultural Impact - The project has led to the development of a local brand for selenium-rich products, with the Yanchi Basin becoming a demonstration area for selenium industry development [13]. - The analysis of the Bosten Lake sediments revealed a selenium content that ranks it as the richest freshwater lake in China, with local fish exhibiting a selenium enrichment rate of 92.5% [12]. Group 5: Future Directions - The Xi'an Geological Survey Center plans to deepen cooperation with local authorities to enhance the geochemical monitoring network and support the development of characteristic agricultural industries in southern Xinjiang [14]. - Ongoing research will focus on the migration and transformation of mineral elements in soil, crops, and drinking water to support the sustainable development of high-quality agricultural resources [14].