From mobile-app-based field monitoring to exporting agricultural machinery overseas, Henan province is spearheading a digital transformation in farming that promises greater efficiency and profitability for growers.

For Su Yaning, a major grain producer in Weizhuang Township, Huojia County, Xinxiang City, the shift to smart agriculture has been life-changing. By simply opening a mobile application, he can access the latest drone-based field inspection reports and stay informed about pest and disease conditions across his farmland. "This gives us early warnings, telling us exactly which pesticides to use for effective prevention and control," he explained in a recent interview. Beyond drone services, Su has also installed integrated water and fertilizer management systems across his fields. Through precise control of irrigation and nutrient delivery, he has achieved a corn yield increase of over 100 jin per mu. Su emphasizes that the adoption of technology is delivering tangible benefits, making farming less labor-intensive and more profitable, which in turn is likely to attract younger generations to agriculture. He believes that as agricultural technology evolves, crop products will gain greater brand value in the market.

Xu Fangzi, head of the Yantianyang Agricultural Service Cooperative in Huojia County, shares a similar success story with water-fertilizer integration. He has laid drip irrigation lines across his 1,900 mu of farmland, requiring only five managers to oversee operations and achieve essentially on-demand fertilization and precise watering. Xu points out that this technology, which saves labor while increasing output, will be a key safeguard for large-scale crop cultivation. Leveraging the Internet of Things (IoT), Xu has also experimented with managing 500 mu of trial land via a WeChat mini-program; by tapping his phone, he can select specific plots, open valves, and complete irrigation and fertilization remotely. According to Xu's estimates, while maintaining the same yield levels, this integrated approach has cut fertilizer use by about 20% and irrigation water consumption by about 30%.

At Xinxiang Huaxi Technology Co., Ltd., Chairman Meng Jiayi highlights that as technology becomes more embedded in agricultural practice, the next major focus will be using these tools to drive green agricultural development. The company specializes in the research, development, and manufacturing of various balers, which are widely used for collecting crop straw, supporting comprehensive straw utilization, and enhancing both farmer incomes and ecological improvement. Currently, Huaxi's balers are exported to countries including Thailand, Australia, Egypt, and Pakistan, with adjustments made to suit local farming habits in each market. Meng notes that product quality and cost-effectiveness are the top factors foreign clients consider when purchasing balers, and Chinese agricultural machinery has now reached a level where it can compete head-to-head with international brands on the same playing field.