The Chinese mainland has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing agricultural technology through the release of the latest No. 1 central document on Sunday. This pivotal document emphasizes collaborative research, technological breakthroughs, and the development of cutting-edge farming solutions aimed at revolutionizing the agricultural sector.
Central to this initiative is the promotion of \"Nanfan Silicon Valley\", a breeding base located in southern China. The term \"Nanfan,\" meaning \"breeding in the south,\" highlights the strategic use of the warm winter and spring climates of Hainan Island and other southern regions to enhance crop breeding practices.
On January 31, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, along with the National Development and Reform Commission and other authorities, jointly published an action plan for the Nanfan Scientific and Research Breeding Base in Sanya. The plan aims to transform the breeding base into a national-level hub for industry innovation by 2030, offering comprehensive services from scientific research and production to sales and scientific exchanges.
The document also underscores the importance of biological breeding, high-quality agricultural machinery, and smart agriculture. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and low-altitude technologies, China is poised to optimize production factors and foster leading agricultural enterprises.
Recent statistics highlight China's progress in agricultural mechanization. Last year, the national inventory of agricultural machinery exceeded 200 million units, with over 2.2 million units equipped with the country's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System. The mechanization rate for crop planting, cultivation, and harvesting has surpassed 74%, with primary staple crops now largely mechanized, as reported by China Media Group in December.
Innovative projects like the Fuxi Farmland in Xiong'an New Area, Hebei Province, showcase the practical application of these technologies. Utilizing big data and AI, engineers can manage grain planting by controlling remote unmanned machines from a control center 20 kilometers away, while real-time crop information is monitored through large screens.
In East China's Zhejiang Province, an action plan for developing the low-altitude economy in agricultural and rural areas has been recently issued. By 2027, the province aims to deploy over 10,000 agricultural drones and establish 100 intelligent monitoring points for agricultural production, further integrating technology to enhance agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
With these strategic initiatives, the Chinese mainland is laying the groundwork for a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced agricultural future, positioning itself as a global leader in agri-tech innovation.
Reference(s):
China reaffirms commitment to advancing agricultural technology
cgtn.com
