As temperatures plunge and snow blankets northern China, farmers are in a frenzied dash to harvest crops during Major Snow—the 21st solar term on the traditional Chinese calendar. 🌾❄️ This ancient system of 24 solar terms, dating back thousands of years, still dictates planting and harvesting cycles for millions of farmers today.
Major Snow (Dec. 7-21) marks the year's deepest cold snap, with northern regions like Heilongjiang and Inner Mongolia seeing heavy snowfall. ❄️ Farmers are working overtime to secure food supplies for winter, balancing tradition with modern urgency. 🌍
Why It Matters:
- 🌱 Solar terms blend astronomy and agriculture, acting as a \"nature-based calendar\" long before apps existed
- 🌾 Winter harvests of wheat, cabbage, and root vegetables are critical for seasonal food security
- 🧑🌾 Over 40% of China's rural workforce still relies on these cycles—even in our tech-driven world
While cities buzz with holiday shopping, rural areas showcase a different kind of hustle. 🚜 \"Every snowflake counts now,\" says a Shandong farmer, echoing a sentiment felt across fields nationwide.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com