An aerial view of the rice fields in Liuyuan town of Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Photo: Zhou Peng of Xinjiang Daily

 

Drones plant rice in Liuyuan town of Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 22, 2024. Photo: Zhou Peng of Xinjiang Daily

"Planting 200 acres of rice in two hours, I wouldn't have dared to dream of such efficiency in the past," Xie Feilong, a farmer from Liuyuan town of Aksu Prefecture of Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, expressed his gratitude for the use of drones to plant rice this year. 

Xie’s family has planted more than 3,000 acres of rice. In previous years during the rice planting season, the whole family and several dozen workers would wade into the icy rice fields to plant seeds. 

“Last year, some people in the village used drones to plant rice. I was hesitant because I wasn’t sure it would work well, so I didn’t dare to try it. As it turned out, the rice planted with drones by others was evenly distributed and at the right density, which saved time, effort, and money. This year, I also used drones for planting, eliminating the need for the whole family to work in the water,” Xie said.

Farmers check the seeds before using drones to plant. Photo: Zhou Peng of Xinjiang Daily

 

Farmers put seeds on drones. Photo: Zhou Peng of Xinjiang Daily

On Monday, 14,000 acres of rice in Liuyuan town of Aksu were all planted using drones, achieving mechanized planting. It is expected that this year's rice yield will range from 700 to 900 kilograms per acre, generating income of around 700 to 1,000 yuan per acre.

In 2024, Aksu Prefecture plans to plant 100,000 acres of rice. The prefecture has vigorously promoted the extensive use of new technologies and equipment in agriculture, innovates service models, and actively promotes services such as drone planting and pest control. 

Drones plant rice in Liuyuan town of Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 22, 2024. Photo: Zhou Peng of Xinjiang Daily

 

Drones plant rice in Liuyuan town of Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on April 22, 2024. Photo: Zhou Peng of Xinjiang Daily

 

An aerial view of the rice fields in Liuyuan town of Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Photo: Zhou Peng of Xinjiang Daily

 
"Drone seeding has the advantages of accurate planting, saving time, labor, and costs. We will also use drones for fertilization, pest control, and other services in the later stages of rice management, using modern technology to help increase production and income for farmers," said Rao Cuiting, deputy director of the agricultural technology promotion center of Aksu.

Xinjiang Daily-Global Times