A villager plows field with cattle in Gyangze county of Xigaze, Tibet autonomous region on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Farming on the "Roof of the World" involves not only ploughs and hoes but also prayers. As farming at such a high altitude on the Tibetan plateau has never been easy, people need a special ritual to pray for a good harvest when they begin spring plowing.

Dressed in traditional costume, villagers in Gyangze county of Xigaze, an area known for its abundant fertile land, kicked off their new farming season on Wednesday with a prayer ritual after months of winter fallow.

A villager plows field with cattle in Gyangze county of Xigaze, Tibet autonomous region on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers cast zanba, roasted highland qingke barley flour, on the field for good harvest. [Photo/Xinhua]

A villager sows seeds, which marks the start of the farming season. [Photo/Xinhua]

Villagers plow field together. [Photo/Xinhua]