What is the earliest agricultural book in China?

The earliest agricultural scientific work in China history is Fan Sheng Zhi's Fan Sheng Zhi, whose date of birth and death is unknown. He lived in the late Western Han Dynasty in 1 century BC. Fan Sheng Zhi, a famous agronomist in ancient China, was born in Fanshui (now north of Cao Xian, Shandong). The book describes in detail the basic principle of farming, the choice of sowing date, crop cultivation techniques, the method of regulating water temperature in rice fields and the method of planting in fields.

Extended data:

The main content of Fan Sheng Zhi's book

How many articles are included in Hanshu 18? Among the nine agricultural books in Yiwenzhi, the number of articles is second only to Shennong (20 articles). The existing book Fan Sheng Zhi is only a part of the original book, with more than 3,700 words. According to the existing data, Fan Sheng Zhi summarized the general principles of farming and introduced the cultivation techniques of 13 crops.

The Historical Significance of The Book of Fan Sheng Zhi

Fan Sheng Zhi is the first complete monograph on agricultural science and technology in China, which has developed agronomy since the Warring States Period, summarized the agricultural production experience of working people in ancient China, described the farming principles and crop cultivation techniques, and had a far-reaching impact on promoting the development of agricultural production in China. It is an epoch-making new summary of agricultural science and technology in China and one of the classics of traditional agriculture in China.