China is strategically enhancing its agricultural sector through the integration of advanced technology and forward-thinking planning to bolster food security and elevate production efficiency. The nation's commitment to modernization is exemplified by the National Smart Agriculture Action Plan (2024-2028), which champions the integration of big data, GPS, and artificial intelligence (AI) into farming practices, with the goal of fully digitizing the agricultural industry.
This technological drive is yielding significant results, notably in the blueberry cultivation sector. Innovations in smart greenhouses, leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G technology, are optimizing climate and soil management. This sophisticated approach has led to earlier harvests and substantially higher yields. For instance, a single farm manager can now oversee tens of mu of blueberry fields using just a smartphone. Greenhouse-grown blueberries are reaching consumers two months earlier than outdoor crops and yielding double the amount.
Furthermore, China is actively promoting advancements in biotechnology, supporting the development of gene-editing tools and novel crop varieties. This policy aims to secure independent and controllable sources for essential crop seeds, thereby strengthening national food security. This initiative aligns with a broader national strategy to achieve agricultural self-sufficiency, with plans to increase grain production by 50 million tons by 2030. China's grain output reached a historic record of over 700 million metric tons in 2024, a testament to the impact of these technological advancements.
The "AI plus Agriculture" market in China is experiencing substantial growth, valued at 68.5 billion yuan (US$9.55 billion) in 2021 and projected to exceed 90 billion yuan by 2024. AI is being deployed in various agricultural applications, from precision farming and pest detection with robots achieving over 80% accuracy, to optimizing planting decisions and resource management. The National Smart Agriculture Action Plan (2024-2028) aims for a national digital integration rate in agricultural production exceeding 32% by 2028, building a robust national agricultural data platform and establishing comprehensive data classification standards. These advancements underscore a national commitment to leveraging technology for a resilient and secure food future. By embracing innovation, China is not only meeting the evolving demands of its large population but also setting a precedent for technologically advanced agriculture on a global scale.