China’s Modern Agriculture Boosted by Smart Agritech Machinery

Key Takeaways

Pinggu District in Beijing utilizes advanced technology in peach cultivation, with mechanized processes and smart farming equipment.
China’s agricultural sector is experiencing a major shift towards smarter practices, reducing costs and improving yields.
The government promotes technological innovation in agriculture through policies and programs enhancing the use of smart machinery.

Beijing’s Pinggu District is recognized for its premium peaches, particularly from Xiying Village, where a shift towards technology has transformed fruit cultivation. The Xiying Future Orchard showcases sophisticated weather stations and mechanized agricultural processes, with robots and drones employed for tasks like irrigation and fertilization. Despite its success, the peach industry faces challenges, including labor shortages and the need for sustainable practices. Yu Yongqiang, from the district’s fruit services center, acknowledges the necessity of adopting smart agricultural technologies as essential for future growth.

This transformation isn’t limited to Pinggu. Across China, from the rice paddies in Heilongjiang to tea plantations in Zhejiang, advanced farming technologies are redefining traditional agricultural methods. In Guangxi, Huang Xianjun reports a 30% reduction in costs and improved yields in his mango orchard after integrating smart farming equipment.

Companies like XAG, based in Guangzhou, are leading this agritech revolution, noting a significant uptick in sales directly to farmers. By 2025, 79% of XAG’s customers are expected to be individual growers using smart machinery on their own farms or providing services to others, signaling a rise in a new class of agricultural entrepreneurs.

The Chinese government’s efforts to modernize agriculture are reflected in the 2025 “No. 1 central document,” calling for advancements in “new quality productive forces” that emphasize technology. The document urges the development of domestic smart machinery and the application of AI, data analytics, and low-altitude technologies within agriculture. Various local administrations are implementing supporting policies to promote these initiatives.

Furthermore, China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has become crucial for the operation of smart agricultural machinery. As of late 2023, 2.2 million agricultural machines in the country are equipped with BDS terminals, contributing to the industry’s steady growth. By 2024, the increased revenue-generating machinery enterprises reached 2,271.

Globally, China’s booming smart agriculture sector is proving beneficial to farmers worldwide, with agricultural machinery exports reaching $9.305 billion in the first half of 2025, marking a 26.5% year-on-year increase. XAG’s international reach extends to 70 countries, illustrating the global competitiveness of China’s agritech sector. The Agritechnica trade fair in Hanover serves as a benchmark for this progress, with Chinese participation continuously growing, demonstrating advancements not just in manufacturing, but also in research and development, positioning China as a potential global hub for smart agriculture innovations.

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