12:42, 07-Aug-2026
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-08-07/VHJhbnNjcmlwdDkxODA4/index.html
From sensors in the fields to artificial intelligence in the greenhouse, digital technologies are transforming agriculture in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province. In Hangzhou, digital farming is improving productivity and creating new jobs and income for local communities. Bi Ran reports.
At Penggong Digital Farm, 25 miles from downtown Hangzhou, farming begins with data.
Here the number shows that the water poses no risk to irrigation, and receives a suitability score of 92 for crop cultivation. However, the bicarbonate level is slightly above the recommended standard. By collecting data over a longer period, the farm can establish benchmarks.
What once depended largely on personal experience can now be managed with greater precision, thanks to field data and an AI-powered analytics platform developed by Wang Qianjue’s team.
WANG QIANJUE, Manager, Penggong Digital Farm “We develop tools around real needs, bringing data from agricultural bases nationwide onto one platform. AI and big data are at the core, while hardware and inspection robots help collect data and improve efficiency.”
BI RAN, Hangzhou “This digital farms use sensors and AI to monitor sunlight, humidity, and soil conditions 24/7, automatically optimizing irrigation and fertilization for smarter farming.”
The system allows young farmers to monitor the situation in real time. This reduces labor costs and improves both crop quality and production efficiency.
WANG QIANJUE, Manager, Penggong Digital Farm “The digital farm has helped increase our annual output by 50 to 100 percent.”
AI and Internet of Things technologies are also being used in vertical farms here in Hangzhou. The farms use vertical cultivation, automated environmental controls and digital production management to grow leafy vegetables, creating what’s known as an integrated “plant factory plus digital twin” model. For the same construction area, investment costs are reduced by 30 percent, while production capacity increases by 20 percent.
“Wow, it’s ripe! Come and try it.”
“Is this what it looks like when it’s ripe?”
“Yes. This variety is naturally yellow.”
“Okay, let me try it. Can I eat it straight away?”
“Yes. We say, ‘Wash your hands, not the vegetables.’ It’s completely clean.”
“Doesn’t it have such a rich tomato flavor?”
“Yes, it’s especially fresh and fragrant.”
The transformation goes beyond the fields. Agriculture is being combined with tourism, education and cultural experiences, creating new ways to earn revenue throughout the year.
LEI LINA, Partner, Zhejiang Pukuang Agricultural Technology “We have moved beyond traditional farming and no longer depend on the weather. We focus on technological innovation, develop our own digital twin system for plants, and help boost the local economy.”
BI RAN, Hangzhou “Last year, every village in Yuhang generated at least 350,000 USD in operating income. Strong collective economies have created jobs, and helped rural incomes catch up with urban levels.”
Revenue generated by digital farms allows the village collective to invest in public services and industrial development. Across Zhejiang, similar projects are exploring how technology can modernize traditional industries while allowing more people to share the benefits of development. Bi Ran, CGTN, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.