In the Jinan New and Old Kinetic Energy Conversion Pilot Zone of Shandong Province, there lies a vast 10,000-acre International Grain Yield Improvement Demonstration Area, where a new generation farmer, Hong Chao, is at the helm of a harvesting machine. With a steady grip on the wheel and a gentle press on the pedal, he skillfully guides the combine harvester as it efficiently devours row after row of corn, seamlessly executing the processes of harvesting, threshing, and cleaning.
Hong, a millennial who studied agriculture in university, now manages over 300 acres within the demonstration area. As I approached him, he picked up a plump corn kernel and exclaimed, “Look how full these are! This year, we expect to yield over 850 kilograms per acre. The harvest is great because I have a few tricks up my sleeve!”
One of the significant challenges in field management is pest control, yet Hong confidently declared, “I’m not worried at all.” His confidence stems from an agricultural monitoring app on his phone. He explained that during critical pest control periods, the moment he receives a pest alert on his phone, he immediately deploys a drone for preventative measures.
These timely and accurate alerts come from a series of smart agricultural monitoring stations within the demonstration area. The stations use optical technology to lure and eliminate pests, quickly capturing images that are uploaded to the smart agricultural big data center. Agricultural technicians analyze this data in real-time. If there is an increase in a specific pest population within a short timeframe, the management platform promptly sends out pest warning alerts to farmers via the monitoring app. Additionally, intelligent spore-capturing devices can swiftly detect pathogenic spores, aiding farmers in disease control.
The information streaming to Hong’s phone from the smart monitoring stations is extensive. “It provides not just temperature, humidity, and wind speed information, but also data on soil moisture, oxygen levels, and leaf surface temperature and humidity. This information is incredibly valuable.” He shared that in June of this year, the rainfall during the corn planting season was below average, leading to drought conditions. The monitoring system is integrated with an automatic irrigation system, which triggers an alert if soil moisture levels drop below 16%, automatically activating the irrigation system to maintain soil moisture.
With over 500 various monitoring devices strategically placed above and below ground and integrated into the crops, the demonstration area provides real-time data to farmers. By simply opening the app on his phone, Hong can access a comprehensive view of field conditions at any time.
To translate the results of field management into tangible grain yields and take control of the harvest timing, accurate predictions of harvest dates and advance contact with agricultural machine operators are essential. “In the past, we relied on experience for predictions; now, we depend on technology.” As he spoke, he adjusted the controls of a multispectral drone, which ascended into the skies to survey extensive stretches of farmland.
“I’m essentially doing a CT scan of the cornfield,” he explained. As the drone flies, it provides real-time insights into the crop’s growth status, generating nutrient maps. “Deep red indicates areas with insufficient nutrients that need fertilization, while light yellow sections show where the crops are mature and ready for harvest.” With this information, Hong can accurately assess the growth of the corn and forecast the peak harvest period, enabling him to schedule two harvesting machines in advance.
With the combine harvester now back in action, it navigates through the fields, and golden corn kernels pour out—a clear testament to the efforts put forth.
