On November 28, Datong, Shanxi Province, hosted the grand opening of the China Potato Farm High-Quality Development Forum. The event brought together leading experts and scholars in the agricultural sector and drew numerous industry pioneers.
Li Guangcun, chief expert of the Potato Genetic Breeding and Cultivation Innovation Team at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and a post scientist in the National Potato Industry Technology System; Bai Xiaodong, chief expert of the Shanxi Province Modern Agricultural Potato Industry Technology System and a director of the Potato Branch of the China Seed Association; Zhang Yu, deputy secretary-general of the Potato Starch Branch of the China Starch Industry Association; Liu Jianjun, deputy director of the Rural Channel at the Agricultural Science Channel of Shandong Radio and Television; Wang Xinmeng, “Potato Brother” from the program “Amazing Potatoes”; Ma Xuewen, chairman of Nongda Group; and Ding Fangjun, professor at Shandong Agricultural University, director of the Key Laboratory for Humic Acid Fertilizers under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and vice general manager of Nongda Group—along with more than 1,300 leading potato growers from the Hebei–Inner Mongolia region—attended the event to jointly discuss future trends and pathways for high-quality development in the potato industry.
At the forum, Professor Li Guangcun drew on his experience with the Potato Genetic Breeding and Cultivation Innovation Team at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences to unveil a new chapter in potato breeding and cultivation. As a key tuber crop serving as a major source of starch, potatoes have attracted considerable attention for their promising prospects and distinct advantages. Zhang Yu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Potato Starch Branch of the China Starch Industry Association, delivered a detailed report on the cultivation prospects and benefits of starch‑processing potatoes.
The participation of Chief Expert Bai Xiaodong, Deputy Director Liu Jianjun, “Di Dan Ge” Wang Xinmeng, and others has further enriched the forum with a diverse array of perspectives.
As an important food crop, the development of the potato industry plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and promoting high-quality agricultural growth. Humic acid–based fertilizers, as a key component of the potato sector, are also one of the central topics of this forum. These fertilizers significantly enhance soil fertility, improve crop quality, and protect the environment, thereby contributing positively to the high‑quality development of the potato industry.
As a leading enterprise in the research and production of humic‑acid‑based fertilizers, Ma Xuewen, Chairman of Nongda Group, stated in his forum address that the company’s original aspiration and mission are to help more farmers use higher‑quality fertilizers to achieve greater economic returns. In terms of scientific and technological R&D, two of Nongda Group’s four core technologies have reached international cutting‑edge levels, while the other two have attained internationally advanced standards. These innovations have given rise to a comprehensive line of humic‑acid products designed to nurture the soil, fully meeting the nutritional needs of potatoes throughout their entire growth cycle and providing growers with holistic, customized solutions.
As one of the two national champions in the fertilizer industry, Nongda Group has consistently integrated industry, academia, research, and application, driving corporate growth through product leadership. Grounded in the domestic market yet with a global outlook, the Group has leveraged its core technologies—having drafted 13 national-level industry standards—to achieve breakthroughs from scratch, earning widespread recognition in the sector for its outstanding humic acid products.
This forum has provided potato growers with a platform for mutual exchange and the sharing of expertise. Nongda Group will join hands with partners from all sectors to make outstanding contributions to China’s potato industry.
Moreover, the emergence of digital agriculture services has opened up new opportunities for the potato industry. At the conference, Wang Kun, Director of the Information Department at Nongda Group, presented the group’s digital agriculture platform and its suite of digital agricultural services, with the newly launched “Farmer” service drawing particular attention. Mr. Wang provided a detailed overview of the service’s management model, technical features, and functional applications. By offering growers an “1+N” online service package, it delivers timely, scientifically sound, and highly effective cultivation plans. In addition, we can tailor personalized service packages based on each grower’s specific needs and circumstances, ensuring they maximize their returns.
Through expert presentations, insights shared by entrepreneurs, and the active participation of large-scale potato growers, we have witnessed the promising prospects and immense potential of the potato industry.
