Dongying, Shandong has 3.41 million mu of saline-alkali land, accounting for 38% of the total such land in Shandong. The National Saline-Alkali Land Innovation Center, headquartered in Dongying Agricultural High-Tech Industrial Demonstration Zone, has established a collaborative innovation system. Empowered by technology, the zone now cultivates 128,000 mu of wheat and 125,400 mu of autumn grain, maintaining stable and bumper harvests for multiple consecutive years.

As one of China first pilot cities for comprehensive utilization of reserve cultivated land resources like saline-alkali soil, Dongying has planned 40 pilot zones and 75 projects, covering 179,800 mu of land. These initiatives will add 34,800 mu of new farmland while improving 115,900 mu of existing saline-alkali cropland. In one demonstration base, 302 mu of new farmland was reclaimed from 434 mu of reserve land—a reclamation rate of 69.5%. Soil salt content dropped from 10‰ to 3‰.

Since 2002, Dongying have created approximately 500,000 mu of new farmland from saline-alkali areas through the development and consolidation , representing 14.7% of the city’s current cultivated land. This achieves a "dual improvement" in both the quantity and quality of farmland. Converting saline-alkali land into fertile farmland later shifts the focus to sustainable long-term utilization .

Leveraging national pilot programs for comprehensive utilization of reserve land resources, Dongying is intensifying research with an emphasis on water-determined land use and balanced construction-management. Strict implementation standards and quality control, ensuring the long-term stability and productivity of newly added farmland.