Mobilizing farmers' initiative is key to agricultural extension

The integrated water and fertilizer drip irrigation technology under plastic film delivers water and nutrients directly to the soil around crop roots through drip irrigation pipes, effectively improving water and fertilizer use efficiency and achieving water and fertilizer savings as well as increased yield and efficiency. In recent years, governments at all levels have attached great importance to it, increased financial investment, and promoted the popularization of the technology. However, in the promotion process, it is even more necessary to pay attention to farmers' wishes and fully mobilize farmers' enthusiasm and initiative in applying this technology, so that the technology can better play its role.

Farmers are the main body of agricultural production and the specific implementers of agricultural technology. If a technology is not recognized or accepted by farmers, it will be difficult to implement it in practice, and it will not be able to fully play its role. How can farmers be made to accept and recognize it? As the saying goes, “Hearing is not as good as seeing”; demonstration, training, and guidance are the “trilogy” of technology popularization, and none can be missing. First, field trial demonstrations should be done well, comparing the new technology with conventional methods, so that farmers can truly see the effects of the technology application and feel the changes brought by the technology. Second, on-site training should be provided for farmers, teaching farmers hand by hand how to carry out irrigation and fertilization operations, so as to ensure that the technology application is not distorted. Third, guidance during the technology application process should be strengthened, promptly discovering and solving problems arising in actual operation, and providing consultation on irrigation and fertilization system maintenance, irrigation schedules, fertilization plans, and fertilizer variety selection.