FAE Stories - China
Agricultural reclamation of stony land in China
Unusable areas are converted into highly productive farmland with the RSM stone crusher
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In Tacheng Prefecture, in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China, large agricultural areas are characterized by inhospitable rocky or desert terrain, conditions that significantly limit productivity. This is the setting in which Ma Baocai, a contractor who specializes in mechanized agricultural operations, works with local farmers to develop and manage their land.
Since 2024, Ma Baocai has closely followed government initiatives to develop highly productive farmland. Local and national policies have been implemented to introduce advanced mechanized equipment and improve soil quality. Faced with vast areas of stony, unusable land, authorities have identified reclamation as a crucial undertaking. To support this reclamation, they have begun to search for advanced technologies that have the power to transform these difficult areas.
“The objective of the project is to convert uncultivated, stony land into fields suitable for modern farming. The work is carried out on areas that feature high concentrations of hard, dense stones, which represent a major challenge for the equipment,” says Ma Baocai.
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To tackle these demanding conditions, the FAE RSM-200 stone crusher was chosen, representing the first application of this technology in the Tacheng area.
After a brief learning phase, the customer was completely comfortable with the machine. The work was carried out at a depth between 25 and 30 cm, with an operating speed of about 500 meters per hour. The crushed material had a particle size mainly between 1 and 5 cm, ideal for preparing agricultural land and in line with agronomic requirements.
“Aside from routine stops to replace wear parts, operations continued steadily and reliably, and the efficiency of the RSM-Massey Ferguson CVT tractor combination was obvious to the customer,” reports Ma Baocai.
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The introduction of this innovative solution gradually attracted the curiosity of other local operators and farmers. Alongside field operations, live demonstrations were organized in collaboration with the local FAE dealer. The trials generated strong interest among industry professionals, ultimately leading another operator to purchase the same model, a sign of the technology’s growing presence in the area.
Compared with other locally tested solutions, in-situ crushing represents a decisive advantage. “Using stone pickers to collect, transport and store material comes with high costs. FAE technology, on the other hand, makes it possible to work directly in the field, reducing overall costs and increasing efficiency. Alternative stone crushers available locally have proven to be much less reliable and effective,” explains Ma Baocai.
The prospects for development are substantial: in the Tacheng area alone, it is estimated that there are more than 20,000 hectares of stony land still to be reclaimed. This resource could gradually be transformed into productive farmland through the introduction of suitable mechanized solutions.
“I am not surprised that FAE stone crushers are internationally recognized for their reliability and performance: this is the main reason behind our choice. The machine works directly where it is needed, transforming unproductive areas into cultivable fields and helping increase productivity. It is an investment that guarantees considerable benefits over time,” concludes Ma Baocai.
