Unmanned farms, drones revolutionize smart rice farming in Huangpu

Smart technologies are bringing about a transformation in the rice farming industry in Huangpu district, Guangzhou. At the Longping International Modern Agriculture Rice Park, drones and other advanced technologies are being utilized to enhance efficiency, raise crop yields, and lower costs.

These "smart farms" are fully automated, from the initial planting stages to the final harvest. They have the potential to revolutionize agriculture not just in China, but also across the globe.

One such "smart farm" is situated on Dajisha Island, which is only accessible by boat. Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Engineering have turned the island into a testing ground for modern agricultural technologies and unmanned farms. The farm uses a range of technologies to improve efficiency and reduce costs, such as unmanned tractors, drones for spraying and seeding, and variable-rate fertilization.

Thanks to the automated system, the efficiency of cultivating and harvesting rice has improved by more than 60 times. The need for traditional manual labor has been eliminated, as a single unmanned tractor is able to accomplish the tasks of 16 manual laborers. This approach also cuts down labor costs and minimizes the risk of accidents and injuries associated with manual labor.

Dajisha Island serves as just one example of the growing trend toward smart agriculture in China. The Longping International Modern Agriculture Rice Park is leading the way with its smart rice paddies, which employ sensors and other technologies to optimize crop growth while also conserving water.

With the assistance of these cutting-edge technologies, Huangpu's rice industry is making strides toward greater productivity and efficiency. The development of smart farms holds the potential to revolutionize the agriculture industry, making it more sustainable and eco-friendly, while simultaneously enhancing crop yields and reducing costs.

An unmanned harvesting machine operates in a field.

Dajisha Island.