Important Arts for the People's Welfare (known as Qi Min Yao Shu in Chinese) is a large-scale ancient Chinese writing on agricultural technologies by famous scientist Jia Sixie in the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-581). As one of the most important writings specifically on agriculture, the book has been extensively appreciated and praised by both domestic and foreign experts.

Born into a distinguished family, Jia Sixie was deeply influenced by his family's tradition of attaching great importance on the study and research of agricultural technologies. Jia later became an official in many places including today's Shandong, Hebei, and Henan provinces, respectively in East, North, and Central China.

In each place he went to, Jia attached great importance on the local agriculture. He also engaged in agricultural production himself. From 533 to 554, he analyzed, sorted out, and summarized the ancient agricultural books, the experiences he learned from seasoned senior peasants, and his own practices, resulting in the writing of Important Arts for the People's Welfare.

The book has 10 volumes; 92 passages with a total of 110,000 Chinese characters, in which about 70,000 makes up the text, and the rest, notes. Covering a wide range of subjects, the book discusses the planting of various crops and trees, and the use of wild plants. Meanwhile, the book also covers the raising of animals as well as the disease prevention and treatment of poultry, livestock, fish, and silkworm. Various farm product processes, including brewing and food preparation among many others, are also included in the book.

Author: Jeff

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