Smart Technologies And 5G Network Spearhead China's Agricultural Modernisation

As China embarks on a transformative journey to modernise its agricultural sector, the integration of smart technologies and the deployment of the 5G network are playing pivotal roles. China Central Television reports that the central authorities in China have placed a high priority on agriculture and rural development. This focus is evident in the initiatives related to agriculture, rural areas, and farmers being designated as the top concern during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

To propel agricultural modernisation forward, China has implemented a series of measures and pursued rural reform comprehensively in recent years, achieving breakthroughs in several key areas. The construction of agricultural infrastructure has been significantly strengthened. Farmland, which is vital for food security and plays an essential role in the ecosystem and green agricultural development, has seen substantial growth. Over one billion mu (about 66.67 million hectares) of high-standard farmland has been developed, boosting grain production capacity by 10 percent to 20 percent per mu.

The expansion of rural roads has also seen remarkable progress, with the total mileage reaching 4.6 million km today. All qualified towns and villages now have hardened roads, and more than 80 percent of administrative villages have access to 5G networks.

Scientific and technological innovation has emerged as a major driving force behind agricultural modernisation in China. The contribution rate of agricultural science and technology progress has exceeded 63 percent. Additionally, the self-sufficiency rate of crop sources in China surpasses 95 percent. The country has also seen widespread application of over 2.2 million sets of agricultural machinery equipped with China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System terminals and nearly 200,000 plant protection drones.

The introduction of modern science and technology has not only made traditional agriculture more efficient but also significantly improved agricultural production methods. The mechanisation rate in crop plowing, planting, and harvesting increased from 67.2 percent in 2017 to 73 percent in 2022. This advancement in agricultural machinery and technology has contributed to China securing a grain harvest of over 650 million tonnes for the ninth consecutive year in 2023.

Furthermore, China is enhancing the construction of a modern agricultural industrial system. Currently, there are a total of 289,000 village-level comprehensive delivery and logistics service stations and 75,000 refrigeration and fresh-keeping facilities in production areas across the country. These developments allow for the faster distribution of fresh agricultural produce to large markets.

This concerted effort to modernise agriculture through technological innovation and infrastructure development underscores China's commitment to advancing its agricultural sector into a new era. By integrating smart technologies and expanding access to the 5G network, China is setting a precedent for sustainable and efficient agricultural practices that could serve as a model for other nations.

With inputs from WAM