Smart farming transforming agricultural operations in Jiangsu

2024-04-02 15:35:00

Photo taken on April 1 shows agricultural drone help spray pesticide at a farm in Pinjian village of Jiangsu’s Haian city. Photo/Zhai Huiyong

Agricultural operations in Jiangsu are increasingly adopting technological advancements this year, such as new farming machinery and eco-friendly techniques.

Yongrun Farm, located in Baoji Town of Xuyi County, utilized an automated machine for spring ploughing that operated without human presence in the field.

He Tao, general manager of Jiangsu Beidou Agricultural Machinery Science and Technology, noted that drone usage reduces pesticide and fertilizer application by at least 20% and 10%, respectively, per mu (approximately 666 square meter) compared to traditional methods, while also maintaining yield levels.

Since 2020, the company has developed smart machines suited for various agricultural tasks, including ploughing, planting, management and harvesting. To date, their products are in use across more than 20 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities nationwide, covering billions of mu of farmland.

In the Yangzhou (Gaoyou) National Agricultural Science and Technology Park, farmer Wang Lixiang oversaw the fields from a control room, analyzing data on soil moisture, air temperature and potential precipitation displayed on screens. He made occasionally adjustments via the keyboard to optimize crop growth. Wang also mentioned the significant support provided by an integrated irrigation system, likening it to a "think tank".

Sun Xiaoman, project leader of the system from Yangzhou University’s College of Hydraulic Science and Technology, detailed that various sensors in the field offer real-time monitoring of essential factors such as soil moisture, meteorological conditions and water needs.

"We can provide customized services for individual plots and specific crops. The system can assess the color, size and texture of wheat leaves, as well as the height and orientation of the plants, to recommend the optimal fertilization solution."