China held its ninth Farmers' Harvest Festival nationwide on the 23rd, the autumn equinox. Established in 2018 and held each year at the equinox, it is the first national-level festival created specifically for farmers.

This year's national main event took place in a village in Zaoyang, Xiangyang, Hubei province, under the theme of a harvest that opens a new chapter and practical work that drives rural revitalization. Forty-six key activities, including nationwide free medical services, an agricultural science-popularization month and a Golden Autumn consumption season, are running alongside.

Why the Equinox?

At the equinox day and night are equal in length and the whole country is harvesting, ploughing and sowing. Rice is gathered in the south, soybeans in the north and fruit everywhere, which makes it a convenient single day to unite the different harvest rhythms of a vast country. It also echoes the ancient tradition of offering sacrifices to the land.

In Beijing, the city's main event was held at a farm estate in Jinzhan township, Chaoyang district, with performances from the 37th Beijing Farmers' Art Festival and a produce market.

Consumption Linking Countryside and City

The festival also serves to link farm sales and rural tourism with urban consumption. Falling close to the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, it is expected to lift demand for regional specialities and rural experience tourism.