A farmer from Ningbo's Jiangbei recently carved a pattern featuring the number of 70, as well as stars, over a vast stretch in a rice field.

The pattern, covering an area of 9 hectares, was created by Hu Xiaobo, owner of the rice field, from Yaojia village in Zhuangqiao sub-district.

Hu said local farmers are benefiting a lot from preferential policies for agriculture and his creation was a gift to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China.

His efforts have proved to be a hit, attracting numerous visitors.

This year will be another bumper harvest for local farmers, according to Hu, who attributed it to high-quality seeds and planting guidance from the local government.

Hu also said the local growers didn't have to worry about the sales of rice either, as they have reached a partnership with a local grain and oil company which will purchase directly from them.

In recent years, Zhuangqiao sub-district has been actively promoting the centralized transfer of farmland in the area.

Production costs of farming have been slashed on the back of the introduction of enterprise management techniques and the replacement of human labor by machines, according to a senior official from the sub-district, responsible for rural work.

Meanwhile, the local government has also ramped up efforts in environmental conservation while increasing economic gains.

Officials said refuse sorting has been promoted in all its jurisdictions.

Data showed that per capita disposable income of residents in Zhuangqiao now tops 42,000 yuan annually, well above provincial and municipal averages.

A farmer from Jiangbei district of Ningbo wants to wish the country happy birthday. He recently carved a rice field with a pattern featuring the number of 70, as well as stars, to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]