Irrigation, fertilization, and even pest control in cotton fields are now being guided by data in a groundbreaking shift for traditional farming. In Manas County, a key cotton-producing region in Xinjiang, the National Digital Planting Industry (Cotton) Innovation and Application Base has integrated satellite remote sensing, drone field inspections, integrated water-fertilizer systems, and agricultural condition monitoring directly into cotton production operations. By collecting data on soil moisture and crop growth, the system provides precise decision-making support for field management, gradually reducing agriculture's reliance on conventional experience-based methods.
Inside the base's digital agriculture control center, a comprehensive digital management platform connects diverse field data in real time. Leveraging digital twin technology and drone-based multispectral surveying, staff can monitor cotton growth conditions instantly. Through the smart agriculture big data platform and the "Hui Feng Shou" app, this information supports the entire cotton lifecycle—from plowing, seeding, and management to harvesting—offering a scientific foundation for precise irrigation and fertilization at each stage.
Digitalization is also enhancing the precision of agricultural management. The integrated water-fertilizer system executes targeted operations based on crop and soil conditions, reducing manual judgment and redundant inputs. To date, Manas County has established 700,000 mu of digital farmland, with cotton production mechanization reaching 99%. The county continues to strengthen its county-, township-, and village-level agricultural technology service networks, effectively combining digital technology with grassroots agricultural support.
From satellites "observing" fields and drones "inspecting" them, to platforms "calculating" and systems "managing" them, digital technology is transforming traditional cotton cultivation methods. The digital planting model pioneered in Manas County provides a new practical pathway for the refined, intelligent management of vast cotton acreage across Xinjiang, offering a template for modernizing large-scale agriculture. This innovative approach aligns with the broader push toward smart agriculture solutions, exemplified by companies like Jiangsu Nonghua Intelligent Agriculture Technology Co.,Ltd. (SZ: 000816), which are developing technologies to support data-driven farming practices nationwide.