Agricultural Technology Research Articles

Urban–Rural Integration and Agricultural Technology Innovation: Evidence from China

Urban and rural relations are important for the sustainable development of a nation or region. Urban and rural integration (URI), as a conceptual framework and strategic tool for managing urban–rural relations, is supposed to play a role in linking urban and rural socio-economic systems to promote the two-way flow of resources, facilitate spatial restructuring and functional transformation, enhance resource allocation efficiency, and shorten the gap between urban and rural areas. This article takes agriculture technological innovation in China as an example, and discuss whether and how URI can promote agricultural technological innovation (ATI). Based on a dataset of 288 prefecture-level cities spanning the years from 1999 to 2018, this article analyzes the mechanism and effect of URI on the development of ATI by using the negative binomial regression model and other models based on measuring the level of URI in the municipal area. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) URI positively promotes the development of ATI and exhibits significant heterogeneity across various dimensions, regions, and agricultural production areas. (2) The mechanism analysis shows that governance systems and mature markets positively moderate the impact of URI on promoting ATI, which also exhibits heterogeneous characteristics across various regions. (3) The impact of URI on the development of ATI exhibits a double threshold effect, and its marginal impact on the development of ATI increases with the deepening of URI. Moreover, the threshold effect of URI demonstrates significant heterogeneity. In central and urban areas, after surpassing the threshold value, the influence of URI on agricultural technological innovation becomes greater. Therefore, it is crucial to continuously deepen the development of URI, smooth the channels of factor flow, enhance resource sharing, break down the urban and rural barriers, and create a new engine for ATI development.

Resistance of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Varieties to Gram Pod Borer (Helicoverpa armigera) in a Controlled Environment

The research was conducted within the controlled environment of the net house at the Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology, AKS University, Satna (M.P.), during the Rabi season of 2023-24. Eight diverse chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes, viz. JG-63, JG-130, L-2, JG-14, RAJ-128, Narendran-2, Annagiri and RVG-202, were systematically screened to evaluate their resistance to the gram pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) under protected conditions. The study was meticulously designed using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications to ensure robust statistical analysis. Throughout the critical vegetative, flowering and maturity stages, the larval population density of H. armigera was rigorously monitored across all genotypes at regular intervals. The comprehensive data analysis revealed that genotypes RAJ-128 and RVG-202 demonstrated superior resistance, exhibiting the lowest mean larval density of 0.25 and 0.29 larvae per 0.5 m², respectively, indicating their potential for integrated pest management in chickpea cultivation.

Feasibility of Low-Code Development Platforms in Precision Agriculture: Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Directions

Low-Code Development Platforms (LCDPs) empower users to create and deploy custom software with little to no programming. These platforms streamline development, offering benefits like faster time-to-market, reduced technical barriers, and broader participation in software creation, even for those without traditional coding skills. This study explores the application of LCDPs in Precision Agriculture (PA) through a systematic literature review (SLR). By analyzing the general characteristics and challenges of LCDPs, alongside insights from existing PA research, we assess their feasibility and potential impact in agricultural contexts. Our findings suggest that LCDPs can enable farmers and agricultural professionals to create tailored applications for real-time monitoring, data analysis, and automation, enhancing farming efficiency. However, challenges such as scalability, extensibility, data security, and integration with complex IoT systems must be addressed to fully realize the benefits of LCDPs in PA. This study contributes to the growing knowledge base in agricultural technology, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers looking to leverage LCDPs for sustainable and efficient farming practices.

Stakeholder mapping of precision weeding commercialization ecosystem in California

CONTEXTPrecision weeding, a sector of agricultural technology in which drones and/or automated weeders use chemical, mechanical, or thermal means to eradicate weeds, has moved from academic research settings to commercialization. Because of labor shortage pressures, the push to gain competitive advantages, and the environmental impacts of excessive chemical inputs, many California growers have been interested in adopting precision weeding technologies in their operations. OBJECTIVEUsing semi-structured qualitative interviews, this study investigated the viewpoints of three key stakeholder groups involved in the diffusion and adoption of precision weeding technologies: California growers, precision weeding startups, and agricultural technology venture capital firms. With the supplemental viewpoints of large agricultural firms and their corporate venture capital arms and government agencies, this study seeks to understand the compatible motivations between stakeholders, current collaborative models between stakeholders and their limitations, and the user journey for growers adopting precision weeding technology. METHODSWe conducted 17 semi-structured qualitative interviews with diverse stakeholders in the precision weeding sector to gather textual data and gain high data saturation. Data collection balanced rigorous criteria for participant selection with adaptive interview questions to ensure depth and relevance. The analysis procedure involved coding and thematic framework development, complemented by grounded theory for iterative data examination and stakeholder map creation for distilling cross-organizational insights and stakeholder dynamics. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe results indicated that compatible motivations include addressing current labor issues, reducing costs, and the potential of precision weeding to transform agriculture. Less cited but still popular motivations included having more weeding options, meeting specific field needs, and environmental sustainability. The individual and stakeholder group cognitive maps demonstrated that concerns such as startup longevity, the high expenses of precision weeding machinery, and some startups lacking a direct connection to growers commonly limit the growers' adoption of precision weeding technologies. SIGNIFICANCEThe procedure and cognitive mapping presented in this study can be applied to other emerging agtech technologies and ecosystems.

High keratinase and other types of hydrolase activity of the new strain of Bacillus paralicheniformis.

Keratinases, a subclass of proteases, are used to degrade keratin thereby forming peptones and free amino acids. Bacillus paralicheniformis strain T7 was isolated from soil and exhibited high keratinase, protease, collagenase, amylase, xylanase, lipase, and phosphatase activities. Keratinases of the strain showed maximum activity at 70°C and pH 9.0 as well as high thermal stability. A mass-spectrometric analysis identified seven peptidases with molecular masses of 26.8-154.8 kDa in the secretory proteome. These peptidases are members of S8 and S41 serine peptidase families and of M14, M42, and M55 metallopeptidase families. Additionally, α-amylase (55.2 kDa), alkaline phosphatase (59.8 kDa), and esterase (26.8 kDa) were detected. The strong keratinolytic properties of the strain were confirmed by degradation of chicken and goose feathers, which got completely hydrolyzed within 4 days. Submerged fermentation by strain B. paralicheniformis T7 was carried out in a pilot bioreactor, where the highest keratinase production was noted after 19 h of cultivation. After the fermentation, in the culture fluid, the keratinase activity toward keratin azure was 63.6 ± 5.8 U/mL. The protease activity against azocasein was 715.7 ± 40.2 U/mL. The possibility of obtaining enzyme preparations in liquid and powder form was demonstrated, and their comparative characteristics are given. In the concentrate, the keratinase, protease, α-amylase, phosphatase, and esterase/lipase activities were 2,656.7 ± 170.4, 29,886.7 ± 642.9, 176.1 ± 16.3, 23.9 ± 1.8, and 510.9 ± 12.2 U/mL, respectively. In the lyophilizate, these activities were 57,733.3 ± 8,911.4, 567,066.7 ± 4,822.2, 2,823.0 ± 266.8, 364.2 ± 74.8, and 17,618.0 ± 610.3 U/g, respectively. In the preparation obtained by air flow drying at 55°C, these activities were 53,466.7 ± 757.2, 585,333.3 ± 4,277.1, 2,395.8 ± 893.7, 416.7 ± 52.4, and 15,328.1 ± 528.6 U/g, respectively. The results show high potential of B. paralicheniformis strain T7 as a producer of keratinases and other enzymes for applications in agricultural raw materials and technologies for processing of keratin-containing animal waste.

Agribusiness System and Maize Agriculture Development Strategy in Palolo District Sigi Regency

Maize productivity in Palolo District only reaches 4.8 tons/ha, far below the national average. Suboptimal cultivation techniques, limited access to superior seeds, and the use of fertilizers and pesticides that are not in accordance with the recommendations. Farmers' limited knowledge of modern agricultural practices and lack of access to technology and training also affect production yields. A synergistic agribusiness system ensures integration between the upstream and downstream sectors. The purpose of this study is to analyze the success of the maize agribusiness system and formulate a strategy for the development of the maize agribusiness system. The sampling technique is purposive sampling. The analysis method uses agribusiness index, SWOT analysis and AHP. As a result of the calculation of the agribusiness system index, the value obtained is 11.4 from the maximum value of 17.4 or 65.5%. It shows that the maize agribusiness system is running well, in a good value interval (8.71-17.40). As a result of the SWOT and AHP analysis, there are four main strategies for the development of maize agribusiness: Improving farmers' skills through training and mentoring the latest agricultural technology (weight 0.225), optimizing land use and maximizing production (weight 0.219), increasing maize productivity with active extension and technological innovation (weight 0.137), increasing productivity and availability of facilities through the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and environmentally friendly technology (weight 0.106).

Optimizing Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Production: Genetic Insights, Climate Adaptation, and Efficient Management Practices: Systematic Review.

Peanut production plays a crucial role in global food security, particularly in developing countries, where it provides essential nutrition and income. This paper examines the optimization of peanut production through genetic advancements, climate adaptation strategies, and sustainable practices. The primary objective is to increase yields by addressing challenges related to climate change, pests, and resource constraints. Globally, peanut production is hindered by rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and declining soil quality, impacting both yield and quality. Developing countries, especially in Africa and Asia, face additional challenges, such as limited access to advanced agricultural technologies, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient support for smallholder farmers. The vital issues include genetic vulnerabilities to pests, climate stress, and inefficient water use. Recent genetic research has provided insights into breeding more resilient, drought-resistant varieties, offering hope for improving yields, despite environmental challenges. The adoption of climate adaptation strategies, precision farming, and integrated pest management is essential for boosting productivity. These, along with optimized irrigation and nutrient management, have significantly impacted peanut production in resource-limited settings. Additionally, drought-resistant varieties have proven crucial, enabling farmers to increase resilience and yields in areas facing climate stress. In conclusion, optimizing peanut production requires continued investment in genetic advancements, infrastructure, and sustainable practices. Future efforts should focus on improving climate adaptation and sustainable farming techniques for long-term success.

Awareness and perception on the use of smartphone applications for crop protection among undergraduate students in Southwestern Nigeria

Mobile applications in crop protection especially for speedy pest diagnosis, monitoring, and management are increasingly gaining global attention and support. An understanding of the awareness and perception of the youths, particularly students in tertiary institutions (who are heavy users of smartphones), on the use of smartphone applications for crop protection, is crucial for sharpening their orientations towards embracing the digital ecosystem in agriculture. The imperativeness is evident in the ongoing government drive towards promoting students’ engagement in digital agriculture as accommodated in the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (2022–2027). Consequently, this study investigated awareness and perception of mobile phone applications among crop and agricultural extension-related final-year students in selected Universities in Southwest Nigeria. A multistage sampling procedure was used in selecting 407 students. Data were obtained with the aid of questionnaires. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean and standard deviation using SPSS software. Findings show that very few (less than 8%) of the respondents were aware of the usage of specific smart/android phone applications for pest identification, disease diagnosis, and weather forecasting. Less than 4% ever used smart/android phones for pest identification, crop protection, and information sourcing on disease diagnosis and management. However, their perception of the need for pest and disease diagnosis as a foundation step to enhance crop protection (4.65 points on a scale of 5), and readiness to use android/smartphone applications for this purpose (MS = 4.45) was positive. There are enormous implications for increased awareness and knowledge sharing on the use of android/smartphone applications for crop protection and other interventions to promote digital agriculture among students in Nigeria.

The role of social interaction in farmers’ water-saving irrigation technology adoption: testing farmers’ interaction mechanisms

In rural areas, neighborly relationships are complex, and farmers’ behaviors are largely influenced by neighborly interactions. The promotion of agricultural technologies should not overlook the social interactions between farmers. Based on survey data from farmers in Minqin, China, this paper explores the role of overall social interaction and its various dimensions in farmers’ adoption of water-saving irrigation technology, focusing on the testing of three interactive mechanisms during the technology adoption process. The goal is to provide scientific policy suggestions for government when promoting agricultural technologies. The results show the following: social interaction promotes the adoption of water-saving irrigation technology among farmers; among the four dimensions of social interaction, the depth and frequency of social interaction facilitate the adoption of these technologies; social interaction promotes technology adoption through endogenous interaction mechanism, situational interaction mechanism, and social norm mechanism, with situational interaction mechanism and social norm mechanism playing a more significant role; social interaction has a stronger impact on farmers with longer farming experience and higher irrigation costs. Therefore, the government should emphasize the important role of social interaction in the adoption of agricultural technologies and accelerate the diffusion of these technologies through fostering technical exchanges among farmers, cultivating demonstration households, and implementing differentiated promotion strategies.

The machine system as a factor of scientific and technological progress in agro-industrial complex

The article proposes a principle for forming a machine system using the object-process approach to modeling technical systems as a methodology of systems engineering. It has been shown that the central concept of a machine system is scientific and technological progress (STP): a machine system should simultaneously promote progress in the agro-industrial complex (AIC) and reflect it. The article presents a definition of a machine system, its functions, main goal, architecture, stakeholders, and external environment. A machine system is positioned as a mixed system that combines conceptual, substantive, and physical components. The conceptual part is an information product – the machine system itself, presented in the form of a computer program, website, standards, databases, on paper, etc. The physical component is a group of experts in developing a machine system. It has been shown that in a market economy, a machine system should be built not on the basis of specific brands and models of technical means, but on the basis of their types. A definition of the type was proposed based on the division of technical means characteristics into functional and non-functional. To substantiate the machine types, an approximate list of types of non-functional characteristics of agricultural machinery was formed. Diagrams of the architecture of the machine system and the development of types of agricultural machines were constructed. The architecture of the machine system is a combination of the structure of the machine system and the activities of experts in the development of the machine system, which ensures the performance of the machine system of its functions, the main ones being the systematization of agricultural machines and technologies and the formation of ideas among interested parties about the state and directions of scientific and technological progress in the agro-industrial complex.

Factors shaping innovative behavior: A meta‐analysis of technology adoption studies in agriculture

AbstractThis study conducts a meta‐regression analysis to synthesize the marginal effects of 12 factors that frequently appear in empirical studies examining farmer's technology adoption behavior. The analysis includes 187 observational studies on technology adoption in agriculture, which are published in 32 peer‐reviewed journals in the broader field of agricultural economics, covering farmer's adoption in 47 countries for a diverse range of agricultural technologies. Using this broad meta‐dataset, we investigate whether each of the 12 determinants has a true effect on technology adoption rates and examine whether Type I and Type II publication bias are present in the adoption literature. Our results reveal that while most determinant factors significantly affect adoption rates, their marginal effects are generally of small magnitude and vary considerably by technology type and country group. Additionally, our results provide evidence of the presence of Type I publication bias in half of the factors considered and Type II publication bias in nearly all, underscoring the need for caution when interpreting results in the adoption literature by researchers and policymakers. Overall, the findings highlight the critical need for proactive measures to address publication bias and promote more transparent and credible research practices in agricultural economics.

The relevance of agriculture in Brazilian GDP and new technologies in agriculture

The growth of the world population in recent decades has created the need to increase food production, and this growing demand generates the need for greater efficiency and productivity in agriculture. Thus, countries that want to be competitive in the agricultural sector need to introduce technological improvements in order to reduce costs and increase the yield of agricultural activity. In this paper, we highlight the importance of the agricultural sector in Brazil’s GDP and present some examples of new technologies, mainly based on semiconductor devices, applied to the agricultural sector.

Unlocking Potential: The Role of Zinc Fortification Combating Hidden Hunger and Enhancing Nutritional Security

Micronutrient shortage is rapidly becoming apparent have drawn more attention in the cultivation of crops. The main causes of this deficit are the introduction of high-yielding varieties, an intensified cropping strategy, and advanced irrigation systems etc. A further aspect contributing to this issue is the increased use of high analysis chemical fertilizers instead of organic plant nutrition (composts, farmyard manure, etc.). Most countries have acute shortages of micronutrients due to the significant depletion of soil reserves caused by current agricultural production technologies. In order to increase both the quantity and quality of crops, micronutrients are crucial. Through the integration of agronomic, breeding and transgenic techniques, researchers seek to strengthen the zinc concentration in field crops, so improving their nutritional value and mitigating the risk of zinc deficiency in human diets. The availability and absorption of micronutrients in crops are improved by agronomic techniques such as foliar spraying, and soil fertilizer treatment including organic amendments. Meanwhile, biofortification of vegetable and fruit crops has also been achieved by transgenic and breeding strategies. In other hand, Rhizobacteria-based biofortification, Chelated Zn biofortification, nutri-priming are also important techniques in Zinc fortification programs to ensure food security and nutritional quality, bio-fortification of micronutrients in crops is vital. In addition, bio-fortification improved quality and crop output, reducing hidden hunger and demonstrating that it was a viable and economical approach. The present review addresses several aspects of zinc insufficiency in human populations, including public health and socioeconomic issues, bio-fortification and ferti-fortification studies, and future efforts to mitigate zinc deficiency in soil and the population at large.

Institutions as a determinant of Foreign Direct Investment inflows into the Southern African Development Community

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Southern Africa has been one of the drivers of infrastructure development and economic growth especially in sectors such as mining, agriculture, energy, information, and communications technology (ICT). However, although important economic and institutional reforms have been undertaken by some SADC countries to encourage the inflow of FDI--particularly in low-income countries in the region, the flow of FDI to SADC member states remains low and concentrated in few countries and sectors and is still largely attracted to natural resources sectors. This paper examines the institutions and infrastructure development in the promotion of FDI inflows into the SADC region. Institutions and infrastructure development typically have a positive effect on FDI inflows through their impact on the investment climate. The paper uses panel data econometric analysis with OLS and PCSE to ascertain the impact of governance institutions on FDI inflows into the region. The results obtained reveal that the quality of governance, together with the level of economic development, market size, and openness to trade with the external world play a critical role in attracting FDI into SADC countries. There is however a need to control rampant corruption and reduce the political instability common in some of the countries of the region.

Induced Resistance in Fruit and Vegetable Enhancing Host Defence to Curve Post-harvest Diseases

Induced resistance (IR) is an emerging, environmentally friendly strategy to manage post-harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables by enhancing the plant’s innate immune system. This approach leverages the plant's natural defense mechanisms, including the activation of defense-related enzymes like chitinases, glucanases, and peroxidases, accumulation of secondary metabolites such as phytoalexins and phenolics, and the strengthening of cell walls to prevent pathogen invasion. Additionally, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays a crucial role in both signaling and direct pathogen inhibition. Despite its potential, the effectiveness of IR varies across different crops and pathogens, and its success is heavily influenced by environmental factors, such as humidity, temperature, and light. There are also concerns regarding possible trade-offs, such as reduced yield or changes in fruit quality due to the diversion of energy towards defense responses. However, the integration of IR with other disease management strategies, including the use of biological control agents and conventional fungicides, has shown promising results in reducing post-harvest losses. Case studies in fruits like apples, tomatoes, and citrus, as well as vegetables like potatoes and peppers, demonstrate the practical applications of IR in commercial agriculture. Advances in genetic engineering are opening new pathways for enhancing IR by manipulating key genes involved in defense pathways, while new formulations and precision agriculture technologies offer greater control and efficiency in IR applications. These innovations, along with optimized post-harvest handling and storage practices, hold the potential to make IR a more reliable and sustainable solution for managing post-harvest diseases. However, ongoing research is necessary to address the variability in effectiveness and to explore long-term sustainability, especially as pathogens evolve and environmental conditions change. Induced resistance, when integrated with a comprehensive disease management approach, offers a significant step forward in reducing post-harvest losses and improving food security globally.

Strategy formulation of agricultural machinery development for sustainable potato farming in upland of Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, Indonesia

In the agricultural sector, labor reduction is a significant obstacle to increasing potato production and the use of machinery is considered an effective solution. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the potential and profitability of implementing agricultural machinery and develop a specific strategy in Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, Indonesia. Data collection was carried out from September 2021 to April 2022, and the demonstration farming (demfarm) method was used to test three technology package, with and without agricultural machinery and with existing technology as a control. The study also surveyed farmer characteristics, use the demfarm method, and conducted focus group discussion on internal and external indicators influencing agricultural machinery development. Data analysis included the benefit-cost ratio (BCR), marginal BCR, and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). The results showed that the development of agricultural machinery for potato cultivation was highly profitable, with a BCR of 1.28, suggesting that the development of agricultural machinery is worthwhile. The agricultural machinery technology demonstrated the best performance among the three packages studied. Based on the results, the policy strategy to support the sustainability of potato farming in Central Java involves the application of efficient agricultural technology by optimizing land availability, involving farmer institutions, and the use of agricultural machinery.

Enhancing Broccoli growth by bacillus rhizosphere bacteria

This study examines the enhancement of broccoli growth by Bacillus Rhizosphere. Bacteria Broccoli is a nutrient-rich vegetable known for its high content of polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and low calorie count, making it a recommended daily food. Tropical regions grow broccoli in mountainous areas. Sustainable agriculture emphasizes minimizing chemical fertilizers, and biofertilizers like Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR), such as Bacillus, can reduce their use. Bacillus improves plant growth by fixing nitrogen, solubilizing phosphate and potassium, and producing phytohormones. Understanding Bacillus growth dynamics is vital for optimizing its agricultural application. This study aimed to analyze growth curves of different Bacillus species and investigate their potential role in promoting broccoli growth. This study was carried out in January–April 2024 at the Soil Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, and Bumi Agro Technology Company, Lembang. The research was divided into 3 stages: growth curve determination, Bacillus liquid inoculant preparation, and application of treatment to plants. The findings showed that isolates of B. safensis strain MDL5, B. altitudinis strain RPW2, B. subtilis strain YPS4, and Bacillus sp. strain SZ057 reached the highest point in their growth curves after 4 and 5 days of incubation. After that, the curves slowly went down. Inoculating Bacillus into broccoli plants resulted in an increase in plant height by 43.28–58.75% compared to the control.

Precision Phenotyping in Crop Science: From Plant Traits to Gene Discovery for Climate‐Smart Agriculture

ABSTRACTThe global population is placing unprecedented demand on food systems, which can be met only through a complex interplay of technology, sustainable food production intensification methods and climate resilience. To address such compounded requirements, developing high‐yielding crop varieties using precise plant breeding methods bolstered with efficient and nondestructive plant trait documentation approaches is vital. High‐throughput crop phenotyping (HTCP) platforms have prominently emerged as a mainstream approach for reducing the phenotyping bottleneck in breeding programmes. HTCP has the potential to provide detailed quantitative information of large plant populations under different growth stages across diverse environmental regimes, facilitating accelerated plant breeding strategies. New imaging platforms also enable nondestructive characterization of a wide range of above and below‐ground crop parameters. The specificity in use of sensors, automation of data collection, large‐scale data handling systems and accurate analytical tools have a substantial role in dynamic crop monitoring and big data interpretation. HTCP platforms are capable of making precise measurements of a wide range of physiological, morphological, biochemical and stress responses in plants. Developments of sensors with improved precision, intervention of unmanned aerial vehicles, robotics, computed tomography and machine learning have given a dramatic developmental leap to precise and large‐scale crop phenotyping. This review provides an avenue for understanding various high‐throughput phenotyping platforms, working principles, current developments and contributions to high‐throughput phenotyping of various crops under laboratory and field conditions. A detailed comparative idea on the advantages and pitfalls of these available platforms can help researchers in choosing the right technology suiting specific practical requirements. Furthermore, the review aims to provide novel future prospects and developmental requirements that can potentially widen the application and utilization of these HTCP technologies in agriculture.

Research on the Strategies for Integrating Moral Education in the Teaching Practice of Modern Agricultural Technology

With the acceleration of agricultural modernization, the demand for cultivating talent in modern agricultural technology has become increasingly urgent. In this context, moral education, as an essential component of comprehensive talent development, needs to be effectively integrated and implemented during teaching practice. The teaching practice of modern agricultural technology is characterized by strong practicality and skill orientation. The integration of moral education not only helps enhance students' professional qualities and sense of social responsibility but also strengthens their mission to serve the "three rural issues" (agriculture, rural areas, and farmers). This paper discusses the difficulties and current status of moral education integration based on the characteristics of modern agricultural technology teaching practice, proposing strategies such as setting moral education goals based on professional skills, designing modular and scenario-based moral education content, and fostering mentor guidance and internship culture. The research results indicate that the organic combination of moral education and professional education can effectively enhance students' comprehensive qualities and provide important references for the cultivation of agricultural technology talent.

The Inheritance and Development of Agricultural Culture in the Yellow River Basin: A Case Study of the Hetao Region

The agricultural culture of the Yellow River Basin is an essential component of Chinese civilization. The Hetao region, as a representative area of the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River, possesses unique agricultural traditions and cultural characteristics. However, influenced by modernization, globalization, and ecological changes, traditional agricultural culture faces challenges in inheritance and development. This paper analyzes the natural environment, historical development, and uniqueness of agricultural culture in the Hetao region, exploring the dilemmas and development paths of agricultural culture in modern society. It suggests that integrating agricultural culture with modern agricultural technology, cultural tourism, education, and digital technologies can effectively promote its inheritance and innovative development, providing practical recommendations for the sustainable development of agricultural culture in the Yellow River Basin.