The journey of a common corn seed into a certified breeding seed involves a remarkable process. In the Qinghe Modern Circular Agriculture Industrial Park of Yongchang County, this transformation is clearly demonstrated.
Recently, at Gansu Bomaoyuan Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd., a series of intelligent production lines connect several factory buildings, forming a closed-loop system for corn seed processing from threshing to packaging. Three months ago, this line was operating at high speed. Individual corn kernels moved quietly on conveyor belts, undergoing a sequence of steps including threshing, selection, coating, drying, and packaging. Through this process, they are transformed from ordinary seeds into stable, high-germination-rate "commercial seeds." From raw material to finished product, the entire operation is automated, requiring only a few workers to manage via screen controls. These seeds are destined for major domestic corn-producing regions such as Northeast China and Xinjiang.
How did such a highly automated production line become established? The answer lies within the "Reward Policy for Major Corn Seed Production Counties." Yongchang County is a significant national base for corn seed production. To promote the transformation and upgrading of the seed industry, the state implemented this reward policy, providing subsidies for facility and equipment investments to eligible seed enterprises. These substantial subsidies have significantly alleviated the financial pressure on companies. Gansu Bomaoyuan Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the beneficiaries. Following a strict review and assessment of the factory equipment, a subsidy covering 40% of the construction cost is promptly disbursed.
"Our company cultivated 6,000 mu of corn seed production in Yongchang County this year, producing and selling 3,000 tons of corn seed. The storage warehouse, testing laboratory, threshing production line, and other facilities built in 2025 have all received subsidies. This year, we are continuing to expand our seed production and processing line, which is expected to be completed by September. These tangible subsidies give us the confidence to invest and build with assurance," remarked Shen Chenghua, General Manager of Gansu Bomaoyuan Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd.
Beyond high-standard enterprise equipment, the "source" of the seeds must be robust. Another crucial aspect of the policy's implementation is the construction of high-standard, intelligent seed production bases. Within the Qinghe Park, a 1,600-mu intelligent integrated water and fertilizer seed production base has been completed and put into operation. This base integrates smart agricultural systems, including four-condition monitoring—pest, seedling, soil moisture, and disaster monitoring—as well as intelligent irrigation. From sowing to harvest, the growth of every seed corn plant is meticulously cared for.
Xu Wenxiu, Party Branch Secretary and Village Committee Director of Shengli Village in Yongchang County's Shuiyuan Town, demonstrated the smart agriculture platform on his phone. With a light tap, the drip irrigation system activates precisely, delivering water and fertilizer evenly to every inch of the soil. This refined, data-driven management model ensures that seed corn meets higher quality standards than traditional corn, producing plump, vigorous seeds. "In the past, watering relied on experience; now, big data makes the decisions. In early June, we completed the third watering based on the data. Relying on these intelligent facilities saves about 300 yuan per mu in costs, which translates to additional income for the village's growers," he explained.
From an ordinary seed to a robust seed corn plant, and then to a high-quality finished seed, Yongchang County is redefining the traditional seed production industry with "intelligence."
In fact, Gansu Bomaoyuan Agricultural Technology Co., Ltd. is just one example within Yongchang County's corn seed industry. The county boasts 12 seed processing production lines and 8 drying lines, with an annual processing capacity exceeding 200,000 tons. Multiple seed enterprises are advancing together, collectively building a modern seed industry cluster integrating research, production, processing, and sales. The county's corn seed production base remains stable at 86,000 mu, with an output of 34,800 tons. The coverage of high-standard farmland has increased to over 80%. From traditional manual operations to fully automated production lines, from relying on weather to intelligent control, and from local self-sufficiency to nationwide sales, Yongchang's corn seed industry is undergoing a profound transformation.
The implementation of the Reward Policy for Major Corn Seed Production Counties has not only provided enterprises with tangible financial benefits but has also stimulated the industry's internal momentum. Enterprises are willing to invest and innovate, production bases can be upgraded and made more efficient, and a modern seed industry chain from source to end-user is becoming increasingly complete.
When the final seed is packaged and loaded onto trucks bound for other corn-growing regions, it carries not only the hope of a bountiful harvest but also the firm strides of Yongchang County's corn seed industry as it transitions from tradition to modernity. Starting from the Qinghe Park, these tiny corn seeds are composing a significant chapter in the high-quality economic development of the county.