Precision Takes Root: Smart Spring Management Boosts Wheat Growth in Xinjiang
With warming temperatures signaling the start of the wheat greening phase, Yuepuhu County in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has launched a full-scale, tech-enabled spring management campaign. Central to this effort is the growing use of plant protection drones, which are proving to be a game-changer for farmers and agronomists alike.
On April 6, in Huyang Village, Ahonglukumu Township, agricultural drone operators worked efficiently across 180 mu (≈12 hectares) of wheat, spraying fields with pest and disease control agents. In just three hours, one drone carrying 70 liters of solution completed the entire application task—an operation that would have taken days using manual backpack sprayers.
Why Drones Are Changing the Game
The transformation lies in precision, efficiency, and cost reduction:
- Uniform spraying eliminates under- or over-application.
- Targeted coverage improves root-level treatment for better uptake and efficacy.
- Farmers report a 90% reduction in labor time and more than 50% savings on chemical costs.
- In Yuepuhu, the average drone spraying cost per mu is only 3 yuan, making it highly affordable.
According to local farmer Ainiwar Tuerdi, manual spraying across his 8 mu wheat field required 16 buckets of pesticide and hours of labor. “Now, with the drone, it’s uniform, fast, and effective,” he said. “I really appreciate the government’s support in bringing this technology to us.”
A Broader Push Toward Smart Agriculture
The drone initiative is part of Yuepuhu County’s broader strategy aligned with China’s national goal of “Storing Grain in the Land, Storing Grain in Technology”. It includes:
- Expansion of high-standard farmland
- Integrated use of remote sensing, GPS, and automation
- Promotion of eco-friendly pest control
- On-site technical training for farmers to ensure adoption
This dual approach of “Smart Machinery + Tech Services” is rapidly reshaping crop management in the region. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the use of agricultural drones in China grew by over 25% in 2024, with more than 300,000 drones now in use across the country.
In regions like Yuepuhu, spring fieldwork is no longer just about timing—it’s about technology-driven precision and sustainability. The rapid integration of agricultural drones is not only improving yields and cutting costs, but also empowering farmers with tools for smart, scalable crop management. As tech adoption rises, wheat farming in Xinjiang and beyond is being redefined—one flight at a time.
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