Mechanization of irrigated rice cropping regions in China

The mechanization of rice production in China has experienced a comparatively long and an undulating process. The full-scale making of mechanization of irrigated rice cropping regions was started at the mid 1960's, later than that of upland cropping and its average level of mechanization operation also lower than the average level of the country. During this peiod, however, a series of mechines were created, which adapted to the characteristics of rice cropping regions in China, and the foundation was laid for the later paddy field machinery. For example, transplanting machine (created in 1956), boat—shaped tractors (1961), paddy field ploughing and harrowing serial (1974), and single wheel plowing machines (1979) etc.