sbdcsierra Chapter 136 Policy Dividends
Chapter 136 Policy Dividends
Han Lu pushed open the office door, holding a document in her hand.
"Mr. Zuo, I have some big news."
Zuo Cheng put down the technical report in his hand and looked up.
"The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs just released an announcement regarding adjustments to the agricultural machinery subsidy policy." Han Lu placed the document on the table. "Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) plant protection has officially been included in the subsidy scope, with a maximum subsidy of 3 yuan per unit."
Zuo Cheng's eyes lit up.
He remembered the trajectory of his previous life. The real wave of subsidies for agricultural drones wouldn't arrive until 2022. A full two years earlier than expected.
"When was the news received?"
"It was just released this morning." Han Lu quickly flipped through the document. "The document requires each province to submit a list of recommended companies within one week. The first batch of companies included in the subsidy catalog will enjoy priority in recommendations."
"Our chance has come." Zuo Cheng stood up and walked to the window.
Outside the window, drones are undergoing routine testing, tracing graceful arcs in the air. These drones are serving three agricultural companies in Mincheng, covering an area of over 2000 mu (approximately 333 hectares) daily.
"Han Lu, prepare the application materials immediately." Zuo Cheng turned around. "Compile all our technical parameters, operational data, and user feedback."
"Understood." Han Lu nodded. "I'll contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and try to get things going this afternoon."
"Also, have Chen Hao prepare some product certification materials," Zuo Cheng added. "Including our safety certifications, quality certifications, and all documents that can prove our technological leadership."
"Okay." Han Lu turned and left, her steps hurried.
---
For the next three days, 402 entered a period of intense application processing.
Han Lu led a team to visit the relevant department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, where she provided a detailed introduction to the technical advantages and operational cases of the 402 method. She brought comparative data from three agricultural companies in Mincheng, letting the tangible results speak for themselves.
"Medication dosage decreased by 28%, coverage increased by 19%, and lesions decreased by 50%," Han Lu presented the data at the briefing. "This is real data accumulated from our three months of work."
The supervising official flipped through the thick report, nodding occasionally.
"The technical specifications are indeed leading-edge." He closed the folder, "but I must remind you, the agricultural market is very complex. With the introduction of subsidy policies, a large number of companies will inevitably flood in. Are you prepared?"
"We've been prepared all along," Han Lu replied crisply.
Chen Hao wasn't idle either. He contacted the agricultural machinery appraisal center to expedite the product certification process. Simultaneously, he compiled all of 402's patent certificates, technical documents, and quality reports into a comprehensive application package.
"Boss, all the materials are ready." Chen Hao placed a stack of documents on Zuo Cheng's desk. "A total of 217 pages, covering technical parameters, safety certifications, case studies, and user reviews."
"Okay." Zuo Cheng flipped through the documents. "This material will be our key to getting in."
Shen Yiming led his technical team to conduct a new round of optimization and upgrades to the drones. They improved the spraying system, making the pesticide distribution more uniform; and optimized the flight control algorithm, improving operational efficiency in complex terrain.
"President Zuo, our new version has passed all tests," Shen Yiming reported. "All metrics are more than 15% better than the previous generation."
"Good." Zuo Cheng nodded in satisfaction. "This is our confidence."
---
Three days later, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced the first batch of agricultural machinery subsidy catalogue companies.
402 Technology is on the list.
When the news came, applause broke out in conference room 402.
"We did it!" Han Lu said excitedly. "And not only did we make it into the directory, we are the only private drone company selected."
"Who are the others who were selected?" Zuo Cheng asked.
"Several established agricultural machinery companies are state-owned enterprises," Han Lu said with a wry smile. "They've been deeply involved in this field for decades; it's truly not easy for us to squeeze in."
"This isn't about crowding," Zuo Cheng stood up. "This is proof of strength."
He walked to the window and looked at the distant sky.
"This is just the beginning," he murmured.
Meanwhile, at the headquarters of Huaxin Group.
Lin Jianhua sat in his office, with a television in front of him playing the news.
The screen displays footage from a press conference held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, where the host is introducing the first batch of companies included in the subsidy catalog.
"...Among them, 402 Technology, as the only private drone company selected, is particularly noteworthy. Founded only three years ago, the company has already achieved remarkable results in the field of agricultural plant protection..."
Lin Jianhua's face darkened.
He picked up his phone and dialed a number.
"Investigate 402's background." His voice was icy. "Find out their technology sources, their financial background, everything."
He hung up the phone and slammed it heavily on the table.
"How could a small company that's only been established for three years be included in the subsidy list?" he muttered to himself. "There must be something fishy going on."
But no matter how unwilling he was, the facts were undeniable. 402 had already obtained the golden key to the agricultural market.
---
The subsidy policy took effect faster than anyone expected.
On the first day after the list was released, 402 received inquiries from all over the country.
"Is this 402 Technology? I saw that your drones are included in the subsidy catalog, and I'd like to learn more about your products."
"Hello, we are a cooperative from Northwest China and we'd like to purchase your drones. Do you have any preferential policies?"
"We're from the Northeast State Farms. Can your drones be used in our area?"
Han Lu's phone kept ringing, so she had to assign two colleagues to answer the calls.
"Mr. Zuo, the situation is even more booming than we anticipated," she reported to Zuo Cheng. "This morning alone, we received over thirty letters of intent. The order volume for this month may exceed 500 aircraft."
Zuo Cheng frowned.
"Can our production capacity keep up?"
Han Lu shook her head.
"Currently, our monthly production capacity is 200 aircraft, all manufactured by contract manufacturers. Expanding capacity would require building new production lines, which would take at least six months."
"Half a year is too long." Zuo Cheng fell into deep thought.
Market demand is right in front of us, but if production capacity can't keep up, we can only watch the opportunity slip away. This is a sweet dilemma, and a problem that all rapidly growing companies face.
"Take the order first," he decided. "Tell the client the order is booked for three months from now. Also, contact a few potential contract manufacturers to see if we can increase short-term capacity by adding production lines."
"Understood." Han Lu nodded.
"There's one more thing," Zuo Cheng added. "Have Chen Hao start planning how to build our own production line. In the long run, contract manufacturing isn't the way forward; we must have our own production capacity."
After Han Lu left, Zuo Cheng stood alone by the window.
Orders are surging, but production capacity has become a bottleneck. This problem must be solved, and solved as soon as possible.
He glanced at the calendar.
In early 2020, there were still two years until the drone industry truly experienced a boom. Two years was enough for him to complete his production capacity layout and build his own drone empire.
"The policy window is fleeting," he said softly, "but the real competition has only just begun."
Outside the window, another drone took off and flew into the distance.