Key Takeaways
- The Wanlyu Intelligent Unmanned Farm in Guangdong is pioneering high-tech rice harvesting, utilizing unmanned equipment.
- The farm’s yield is projected at 9 metric tons per hectare, surpassing the national average for the fourth consecutive year.
- Efficiency has increased dramatically, with unmanned harvesters covering up to 53,333 square meters daily, nearly 100 times more than manual methods.
Advanced Harvesting Technology
The Wanlyu Intelligent Unmanned Farm, located in Dongyuan county, Heyuan, Guangdong, has revolutionized rice harvesting with advanced technology. This farm is the largest high-tech agricultural demonstration base in the region, having recently commenced the summer grain harvest.
Unmanned harvesters operate on pre-defined routes, efficiently cutting and processing rice. Automated systems allow for real-time monitoring of yield data and machine performance through mobile applications. Managed by the Dongyuan county government and Guangdong Wanlyu Smart Agricultural Technology Co., this farm has achieved a notable yield per hectare, with projections of 9 metric tons for 2023, indicating sustained productivity above the national average since its establishment in 2022.
Last year, the farm reported an average yield of 8.8 tons per hectare, which marked an 11 percent increase from the previous year. This level of productivity far exceeds the national rice yield of 7.2 tons per hectare, underscoring the effectiveness of innovative agricultural practices employed here. Techniques such as high-yield, high-resistance rice varieties and optimized planting methods contribute to this success.
The Wanlyu Farm spans over 6.7 square kilometers, featuring a 1 square kilometer unmanned core area. By integrating technologies like the Internet of Things, Beidou navigation, and artificial intelligence, the farm manages all farming activities from soil preparation to harvesting efficiently. The unmanned harvesters, equipped with advanced sensors, ensure precision in operations and minimize losses, achieving an operational efficiency that is significantly higher than traditional methods.
A manual harvester typically processes just 533 square meters per day, while unmanned systems can cover between 46,667 and 53,333 square meters in the same time frame. This advancement has boosted overall production efficiency more than 50 times compared to manual labor.
In addition to improving productivity, the farm promotes sustainability in agriculture. Monitoring soil conditions, weather, pests, and diseases in real time, combined with drone patrols and cold chain storage, supports greener agricultural practices. The farm also contributes to local agriculture by managing 20 square kilometers of adjacent farmland, increasing villagers’ annual income beyond 2 million yuan.
The Wanlyu farm serves as a model for technological innovation in rice production in the region. Plans to implement the unmanned farm model in over 20 townships across Heyuan indicate a broader commitment to adopting these practices and enhancing community livelihoods in the future.
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