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Dominik Horváth
31/03/2025 22:23
Technological advancements such as drones, artificial intelligence (AI), automated systems, and blockchain technology are already making a significant impact on agriculture, and China is leading the way in these innovations. This article explores how these high-tech developments are applied across various agricultural sectors in China.
Drones play a crucial role in modern Chinese agriculture, enabling farmers to perform various tasks quickly and accurately while reducing costs and increasing productivity. These drones can monitor farmland conditions in real time, including crop health, soil moisture, and pest infestations. By collecting sensor data, Chinese farmers gain instant insights that support fast and informed decision-making.
Spraying drones allow for precise and even application of pesticides and fertilizers, minimizing unnecessary chemical use. This approach is not only more environmentally friendly but also economically beneficial, as it reduces the costs of excessive chemical treatments.
Approximately 90 per cent of China’s cotton production comes from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which occupies one-sixth of the country’s land area. Alongside drones, Xinjiang utilizes satellite navigation and large-scale agricultural machinery to boost cotton production. According to local agricultural authorities, 90 per cent of cotton planting and harvesting in the region is now mechanized.
A report by the Xinhua news agency highlighted the effectiveness of drones through the example of Yang Haoran, a cotton farmer in Xinjiang. Like many other innovative farmers, Yang uses agricultural drones for spraying, fertilization, and field monitoring. These drones can cover more than 200,000 square meters of farmland in a single day, increasing efficiency while reducing water consumption and labor requirements. Yang also trains local farmers in drone operation.
Near the Three Gorges Reservoir in Hubei Province, "cargo drones" are used to transport oranges from mountainous areas. In the same province, more than 200 agricultural drones have been purchased, and around 500 operators have received free training. According to the Science and Technology Daily, over 2 million agricultural machines equipped with BeiDou navigation terminals have been deployed across China, including more than 150,000 pesticide-spraying drones. This is just a glimpse of the massive wave of investment pouring into China's agricultural sector from the government.
On October 23, 2024, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) introduced the "Smart Agriculture Action Plan 2024–2028", building on the previous "Rural and Agricultural Digitalization Development Plan 2019–2025." Recognizing that digitalization is essential for food security and rural revitalization, MARA and the government have launched strategic initiatives in smart agriculture. The goal is for digital integration in agricultural production to exceed 32 per cent nationwide by 2028.
Artificial intelligence has multiple applications in agriculture. It enables farmers to make accurate predictions about crop yields by analyzing historical data and weather forecasts, helping them plan irrigation and harvesting more effectively. AI can also identify pests and plant diseases by analyzing leaf patterns and recommend the most efficient treatment methods—an essential factor in minimizing chemical use.
The author is a business journalist