On the day of the autumn equinox, China is celebrating the first national harvest festival day, to recognize the role of farmers. CGTN's Feng Yilei reports from the National Agricultural Exhibition Center.

Piles of grain, ripe fruit, and scenes from rural life mark a nationwide agricultural carnival in China. Farmers make up the majority of the Chinese population. Throughout history, they've made great contributions.

President Xi Jinping congratulated them on the nation's first festival in their honor. And he called on all of China to join in.

XIANG HUI TOP TEN FARMER REPRESENTATIVE "It's a great pleasure to finally have a festival that we can call our own. It gives us more confidence, hope and passion to work in fields."

China's status as a large agricultural country has mean rural areas and farmers are top priorities. The poverty alleviation program is at a critical period. The goal of building a moderately prosperous society is at a decisive stage. And rejuvenating the countryside got off to a start this year.

FENG YILEI BEIJING "For the last five years, grain output has remained stable at 600 million tons per year. Since the 18th national congress of the CPC in 2012, farmers' incomes have continued to grow. Agricultural modernization, deepening land reform, and sustainable development strategies have laid the ground for strong harvest seasons and a better rural life."

On display in Beijing are both the harvest itself, cutting-edge technologies, and tributes to efficient management in rural areas. And farmers are optimistic about what's to come.

FENG SUOLAO, DIRECTOR PERSIMMON RESEARCH INSTITUTE, FUPING COUNTY "Sales of our dried persimmons have surged in recent year. We have the best breed of persimmon and a long history of producing dried persimmons. And we have also benefited from advanced planting techniques and processing machinery, e-commerce platforms and local incentive policies."

At the regional level, hundreds of events are going on in six major agricultural heartlands. Celebrations involving distinctive intangible cultural heritages and ethnic minorities' customs highlight the country's rich farming culture. The new festival can boost people's pride in their own culture and a sense of fulfilment. And many say it will also promote the fusion of traditional culture and modern civilization to the rest of world. Feng Yilei, CGTN, Beijing.