Yangling Agricultural High School News- Technology equips agriculture with a -smart brain-
On October 27, during the 31st China Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Fair in Shaanxi, I had the opportunity to speak with some of the innovators reshaping the agricultural landscape with technology.
Dr. Huang Shuhua, an associate researcher at the Shaanxi Hybrid Rapeseed Research Center, shared that traditional breeding methods can take up to five years, whereas the new microspore breeding technology reduces that time to just six months. His booth was filled with potted young crops, showcasing the potential of this innovative technique. “We’ve successfully applied this method to crops like rice, barley, cabbage, chili, and tobacco,” he explained. “We’ve developed rapeseed varieties with an oil content of 66%, which is currently the highest known globally.”
Dr. Huang emphasized how this technology could significantly enhance the efficiency of breeding new crop varieties, accelerating the “upgrading” of agricultural products. “Compared to traditional methods, this not only improves the quality and economic benefits of crops but also addresses various breeding challenges, contributing to agricultural advancement and food security,” he said, noting that several companies have already expressed interest in this technology. He hopes to broaden its application to benefit more farmers and crops in the future.
The fair, which spans five days, features over 1,800 domestic and international companies showcasing their achievements in smart agriculture and digital agricultural innovations. This year’s event focuses on empowering agriculture through technological advancements.
Engineer Liu Zhiwei from Shenzhen Guangwei Technology Co., Ltd. highlighted their automated greenhouse film rolling device and smart ventilators, which operate based on temperature to reduce labor costs while enhancing farmer efficiency. “These products are widely used in the cultivation of cherries, winter jujubes, strawberries, and more,” he noted. Liu pointed out that smart agricultural products provide tangible benefits for farmers, including labor savings and precise temperature control, which fosters healthier crop growth and reduces pest problems. “Temperature influences the market readiness of crops, which in turn affects farmers’ earnings,” he added, emphasizing that the majority of farmers in China are now utilizing smart agricultural technologies, with Shaanxi being one of the key markets for his company.
During my visit, I also spoke with Jiang Qijun, the general manager of Kuniu Innovation Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., who expressed the value of the Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Fair as a platform for entrepreneurs. “We have brought various agricultural robots for monitoring and harvesting, covering a spectrum of tasks from planting to transportation,” he said. Observing the robots in action, I saw them using robotic arms for precision weeding and harvesting. “We leverage AI technologies like machine vision and algorithms to adapt to the diverse and complex scenarios in agricultural production,” Jiang explained, noting the compact design of the equipment meant to fit varied terrains. He hopes to inspire more young people to delve into the smart agriculture sector, as most of his team consists of individuals born after 2000, blending youthful innovation with traditional agricultural practices.
The fair’s activities included the opening of the Agricultural Intelligent Equipment Exhibition and the inaugural Rui Kang (Yangling) Global Agricultural Robot Application Competition, where over 20 teams from around the world showcased their advances in innovative design, smart systems, and smart harvesting techniques, demonstrating the capabilities of robotics in agriculture.
Since its inception, the Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Fair has successfully held 30 editions, attracting more than 30,000 agricultural enterprises and organizations from across 34 provinces and regions in China and over 70 countries. The event has played a significant role in disseminating agricultural knowledge, promoting advanced production concepts, and fostering international cooperation in technology and product transactions.
