As an old Chinese saying goes, “The whole year's work depends on a good start in spring.” Tibetan people share the same mind. On March 17, 2018, people in Tibet Autonomous Region celebrated the traditional spring ploughing ceremony to mark the annual start of farming season.

Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China has designated highland barley and wheat plantation areas to improve farming efficiency and ensure grain output.

Statistics showed that Tibet achieved a grain output of 1 million tonnes last year, of which 800,000 tonnes were highland barley, the third bumper harvest in a row.

 

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows Tibetan girls are ready to sow highland barley seeds on the farm during the spring ploughing ceremony, Ma Village of Tohlung Dechen District, Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows farmers presenting a well-wishing “Chema Box” andhighland barley wine ahead of the spring ploughing ceremony. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows a female Tibetan sowing highland barley seeds on the farm during the spring ploughing ceremony, Ma Village of Tohlung Dechen District,Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows the spring ploughing ceremony held in Ma Village of Tohlung Dechen District, Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows local farmers dancing with Tibetan folk songs to celebrate the spring ploughing ceremony, Ma Village of Tohlung Dechen District,Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.

 

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows local farmers sprinkling Tsamba flour into the air during the spring ploughing ceremony,Ma Village of Tohlung Dechen District,Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows farmers doing preparation work ahead of the spring ploughing ceremony,Ma Village of Tohlung Dechen District,Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows farmers attending the spring ploughing ceremony, Ma Village of Tohlung Dechen District,Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.

Photo taken on March 17, 2018 shows local farmers dancing with Tibetan folk songs to celebrate the spring ploughing ceremony, Ma Village of Tohlung Dechen District,Lhasa, capital city of southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. The ancient ceremony is held every year in Tibet to mark the traditional beginning of the farming season and to pray for a year with good harvests.