Sichuan Nanchong: Zoning Strategies Break Straw Management Deadlock, Technology Paves the Way for Green Transition

On April 29th, the 2025 Nanchong Straw Burning Control and Comprehensive Utilization Press Conference was held at the Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau. An innovative governance model integrating "Combining guidance with regulation" (a combination of guidance and control) has emerged. Faced with the persistent problem of straw burning and the need to improve the efficiency of comprehensive utilization, Nanchong has explored a governance path that balances economic and ecological benefits through zoning control and technology-driven approaches. Data shows that the city's annual straw collection potential reaches 3.21 million tons, with a comprehensive utilization rate increased to 91.27%. However, there are still underlying challenges such as high disposal costs and the need to improve the collection and storage system.

Defining "Dual Zones" for Supervision, Mechanism Innovation to Reduce Risks

To address the persistent issue of straw burning, Nanchong has divided the entire area into an "absolute ban-burning zone" and an "orderly burning zone." In sensitive areas such as urban population-dense regions and transportation arteries, a "zero burning" strict control policy is implemented. In remote agricultural areas, the "three burns, three no-burns" principle is promoted—straw is not burned if it is not dried, if there is no unified organization, or during early morning, evening, and rainy days. Meanwhile, it is required to "spread out the burning, crisscross the burning, and burn during the day" to minimize environmental risks. According to Qiu Haibo, Deputy Director of the Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau, the municipal committee and government have held seven special meetings and conducted two field surveys this year. They have also jointly issued control notices with multiple departments to establish a responsibility system of "graded responsibility and zonal inspection."

Technology Chain Activates "Green Resources," Marketization Solves Collection and Storage Challenges

How can straw be transformed from a "field burden" to an "industrial resource"? Gao Jifang, Chief Veterinarian of the Nanchong Municipal Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, provided the answer: The city relies on a "five-ization" technology model to cultivate market entities and smooth out the collection, storage, and transportation bottlenecks. Shunqing District has established a network of "1 processing center + 7 collection points," equipped with shredding and transportation equipment. Gaoping District has introduced seven large-scale enterprises, among which Zhonghuan Life Bio-Environmental Protection Company processes over 10,000 tons of straw annually and has secured 4.81 million yuan in special funds to focus on straw disposal in the absolute ban-burning zone. Jialing District has mobilized villagers to participate in collection and storage through "courtyard meetings" and door-to-door publicity, forming a linkage mechanism of "enterprises + farmers."

Dual Track of Law Enforcement and Support for Long-term Governance

The "strict prevention and control month" has become a key term in Nanchong's straw management. Tu Jian, Deputy Director of the Municipal Urban Management and Law Enforcement Bureau, said that during the periods of May-June and September-December, special teams will conduct round-the-clock inspections and law enforcement, combining publicity guidance with source control. Policy support is also tilted towards the market: Shunqing District has established a straw processing center in Gongxing Town, covering surrounding townships' collection points; Gaoping District has cultivated seven environmental protection technology enterprises to carry out straw fertilization, raw material utilization, and feed utilization.

Straw management is not about a simple ban but finding a balance between ecological protection and agricultural development. With the deepening of zoning control and the iteration of technology models, this "waste-to-treasure" path may provide a replicable model for similar regions. A person in charge of the Nanchong Municipal Ecological Environment Bureau said that the next step will be to continue promoting the transformation of straw from a "management burden" to a "green asset" through technological empowerment and policy innovation. (Yi Qinghai, Tang Min)