Xuchang, Henan: Power Infrastructure Prepares the Ground for China’s Seed Industry

In the seedling greenhouses of the Seed Industry Town in Shixiang Town, Xuchang City, Henan Province, the vibrant signs of spring are evident as workers skillfully nurture premium seedlings of watermelons, peppers, melons, and other fruits and vegetables in an orderly manner. Zhu Shaopeng, the district manager of the Shixiang Power Supply Station under the State Grid Xuchang Power Supply Company, along with his colleague Chen Fei, proactively visited the area to provide a free “electrical check-up” service for intelligent temperature-controlled greenhouses, ensuring the safe and uninterrupted use of electrified equipment.

“These watermelon seedlings are growing beautifully. Be sure to keep your hands dry when touching the switches while watering. Let me secure the power strips and the residual current circuit breaker for you,” Zhu Shaopeng reminded greenhouse grower Qi Weiqiang on March 10 after inspecting the watermelon seedling greenhouse.

“Time is of the essence in farming. Across our 40 greenhouses, we are simultaneously cultivating over 100 types of vegetable and fruit seedlings, which require a high level of power reliability. We are especially grateful to you for upgrading the transformers in advance, relieving us of our power concerns,” Qi Weiqiang said with a smile.

In August 2024, during a routine visit, Zhu Shaopeng learned that the number of greenhouses in the Seed Industry Town had increased from 30 to 40. To accommodate the growing electricity demand, Chen Fei promptly reported this to the Xuchang Power Supply Company. In alignment with the rural electrification project, the company installed a new 400 kVA transformer in Shangguancao Village and built 550 meters of 400V power lines, ensuring comprehensive electrical support for the town’s agricultural development.

Since 2016, Changge City has leveraged the industrial advantages of Shixiang Town to establish the Seed Industry Town, using Henan Province’s new crop variety demonstration project as a driving force. By integrating six administrative villages, including Shangguancao and Yingfang, the town has developed into a hub encompassing seed technology research and development, seed processing, warehousing and logistics, and commercial application, promoting the integration of primary, secondary, and tertiary industries.

“We closely follow the development plans of the Seed Industry Town, proactively reserving power grid projects and preemptively constructing supporting infrastructure to fully meet its electricity needs,” said Wang Baofeng, director of the Shixiang Power Supply Station. Since 2016, Xuchang Power Supply Company has carried out four rounds of power grid upgrades in the Seed Industry Town and surrounding villages, adding seven new distribution substations with a total capacity of 1,400 kVA, and upgrading 1.94 kilometers of 10 kV lines and 4.12 kilometers of 0.4 kV lines, significantly enhancing power supply reliability.

As a modern agricultural enterprise integrating seed breeding, propagation, and commercialization, seed drying and storage are of paramount importance. In 2019, Dingyan Development Company intensified its investment in supporting infrastructure, constructing two drying towers and two cold storage warehouses, along with installing a dedicated 630 kVA transformer. Upon receiving the company’s power application, Zhu Shaopeng immediately organized an on-site inspection to determine the optimal route for the power lines. His team swiftly built 60 meters of new 10 kV lines, actively accommodating the company’s growing energy demands.

With reliable power supply as a solid foundation, the Seed Industry Town has seen rapid development. Today, it has become the largest vegetable and melon seed variety demonstration base in Central and Western China, hosting over 300 research institutions and seed enterprises. It has conducted experimental cultivation of more than 5,000 new vegetable and melon varieties, benefiting over 4,000 surrounding farming households and creating more than 2,000 job opportunities.

(Jiao Yongsheng and Liu Nannan)