The Crucial Role of Meteorology in China's Agricultural Development: Past and Present

As a populous and agricultural country, China's agricultural development is crucial to the national economy and social stability, and the stable supply of grain and important agricultural products is of utmost importance. Meteorological conditions have always played a decisive role in agricultural production. In ancient times, people relied on experiences such as "If the clouds move eastward, there will be no rain; if the clouds move westward, put on your straw raincoat" and the "Twenty-Four Solar Terms" to guide farming activities. As a product of ancient agricultural civilization, the "Twenty-Four Solar Terms" reflects changes in temperature, rainfall, phenology, etc., and assists in agricultural production.

Nowadays, people have bid farewell to the stage of relying solely on perceptual experience and have begun to use modern scientific and technological means to monitor the weather. Agricultural Weather Stations have become the first line of defense against agricultural meteorological disasters and reduction. By accurately monitoring various meteorological data, such as temperature, precipitation, and sunlight, they provide a scientific basis for agricultural production. For example, they can grasp the temperature situation in real time and issue timely warnings when the temperature is abnormal, allowing growers to take corresponding measures to ensure a suitable temperature for the growth of crops. They can precisely control the precipitation situation, notify farmers to drain water when there is heavy rainfall, and remind them to irrigate during droughts to maintain a reasonable soil humidity. They can also accurately measure the intensity and duration of sunlight to guide the rational development of farming activities such as seedling cultivation.