China Focus: Smart Agriculture Propels China's Kiwifruit Industry Upgrading
Imagine biting into a perfectly ripe kiwifruit that's been scrutinized by cutting-edge technology for flaws and sweetness – and it's all part of a revolutionary shift in China's agriculture! This isn't just about growing fruit; it's a tech-driven transformation that's putting China's kiwifruit on the global map. But here's where it gets controversial: As machines take over the fields, are we sacrificing the soul of traditional farming for efficiency?
by Xinhua writers Ye Ting, Zhang Jingpin and Zheng Xin
XI'AN, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Picture this: On a speedy sorting conveyor, every single kiwifruit gets its photo taken a whopping 240 times from every conceivable angle to spot any blemishes on the skin. Meanwhile, specialized near-infrared scanners – think of them as advanced light-based detectors that peer inside without cutting anything open – measure the fruit's inner qualities like how sweet it is, how firm it feels, and its dry matter content. This state-of-the-art setup in northwest China's Shaanxi Province is a shining example of how the nation is revamping its kiwifruit business with modern smarts.
At the brand-new Zhouzhi Kiwifruit Integrated Development Demonstration Center in Zhouzhi County, activity buzzes with exactness and intent, like a well-oiled machine in harmony with nature.
The six-track sorting system, supplied by Norway's TOMRA and implemented by Xi'an Urban Green Agricultural Technology Development Co., Ltd., examines each kiwifruit thoroughly, both externally and internally. To keep track of quality from the farm all the way to your shopping cart, every box receives a special identification code, which builds trust in high-end brands by guaranteeing traceability.
To keep kiwifruit fresh and available even when they're out of season – imagine picking one that's ready to eat straight from the store – the center boasts a top-notch smart cold storage warehouse holding up to 20,000 tons. Sophisticated cooling tech and top-quality insulation keep temperature swings to just plus or minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, preventing the fruit from drying out and allowing sales throughout the year.
"This isn't just a bunch of gadgets thrown together," explained He Liandi, head of Xi'an Urban Green Agricultural Technology Development Co., Ltd. "We're creating a seamless network that includes breeding new varieties, planting in standardized ways, sorting with intelligence, managing logistics via smart cold chains, and crafting strong brands." Digital tools are flipping old-school farming attitudes into sleek, industrial approaches.
And this is the part most people miss: In recent times, Shaanxi has made kiwifruit a cornerstone of its push for advanced specialty farming. Zhouzhi County, alongside its neighbor Meixian County in Baoji City – both hailed as top kiwifruit spots nationwide – is using the lush environment of the northern Qinling Mountains to push forward uniform growing methods, fresh innovations, and broader industry links.
As the birthplace and main source of kiwifruits worldwide, Zhouzhi has kicked off nine 'boosting initiatives' to elevate its kiwifruit sector. These cover everything from improving varieties to standardizing planting, processing deeply, building brands, innovating tech, handling cold-chain transport, and adopting digital farming, as outlined by Wen Qiwei, Zhouzhi County's Party secretary.
Established back in 1956, the Zhouzhi Agricultural Science and Technology Experiment Station dives into kiwifruit variety selection, testing new methods, and showing off best practices.
"Our kiwifruit gene bank is a treasure trove of resources for creating new types that are bigger, tastier, resistant to diseases, able to handle dry spells, and extra sweet," shared Zhang Xiaobin, a leading agricultural expert at the station. He pointed out that the 'Cui Xiang' variety now covers more than 150,000 mu (around 10,000 hectares) in the province, and it's spread to 300,000 mu across the whole country.
The station has also set up test and demo sites, aiming to finish a 200-mu premium showcase orchard by year's end. Key innovations like precise nutrient mixes, controlled fruit growth, and eco-friendly pest management, plus 16 standardized procedures, will back up efforts to produce top-notch kiwifruit.
In 2023, Zhouzhi saw the launch of the China-New Zealand Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Kiwifruit, Shaanxi Center, which zeroes in on breeding for resistance to kiwifruit canker and coping with cold weather.
Plus, the county teamed up with Northwest A&F University's College of Plant Protection to launch an expert hub under Professor Huang Lili. This team will research disease prevention and techniques for 'ready-to-eat' kiwifruit after harvest, boosting shelf life from 15 to 30 days – a game-changer for staying competitive in markets.
Over in Meixian, smart farming is making waves too. Qi Feng, boss of Shaanxi Qifeng Fruit Industry Co., Ltd., revealed how the firm worked with NWAFU experts for three years to build a digital kiwifruit farming platform.
By blending weather data, soil info, operational details, and plant growth stats with Internet of Things sensors, AI predictions, and automated tools, they've developed a 'monitor-decide-act' full-cycle system. This has slashed water use by 30 percent, cut fertilizer by 25 percent, reduced pesticides by 35 percent, and boosted output per mu by 10 percent.
Qifeng Fruit has also rolled out a 'three-tier reward' setup for standardized farming. Here, local village groups hand over underperforming plots, which get combined into efficient farms. These get upgrades using public funds and are then rented to growers. Earnings are shared in three stages, benefiting both communities and operators.
From September 19 to 21, the third China Kiwifruit Expo unfolded in Meixian. With over 200 booths displaying standard and unique exhibits, it highlighted fresh tech, goods, and trends from kiwifruit worlds near and far. Deals were sealed for 41,900 tons of kiwifruit, worth over 410 million yuan (roughly 57.6 million U.S. dollars).
Fueled by these advancements, Meixian's kiwifruit trade is going international. Qifeng Fruit set up a local farm in Chile for constant supply and now ships to 32 countries and areas, like Canada, Singapore, the UAE, Russia, Chile, and Thailand.
But here's the controversy: As China leads this kiwifruit renaissance with high-tech tools, does it mean smaller farmers get left behind? Could this automation widen the gap between big players and locals? And what if over-reliance on AI leads to unforeseen issues, like data breaches or environmental trade-offs? Do you think this tech boom is a win for global food security, or is it just another way for corporations to dominate? Share your opinions and debates in the comments – we'd love to hear if you're for or against this agricultural overhaul! ■
