Digital systems add value to Yichang citrus
2024-12-23 19:12:17
By Yan Wanqin. Jie Xingwei, Yang Fei, Liu Yiming also contributed to this article.
Workers are busy operating the intelligent citrus sorting line at the National Modern Agriculture (Citrus) Industrial Park in Yichang. This line is connected to a big-data platform for citrus, integrating real-time data across the citrus industry value chain, from planting to processing and sales.
"We are using modern technologies, such as the Internet of Things and big data, to connect the citrus production cycle and upgrade the industry,” said He Xianjun, marketing director of Cuilin Agricultural Group Yichang Co., Ltd, a key agricultural company in Yiling District which owns the park.
Workers are busy operating the intelligent citrus sorting line at the National Modern Agriculture (Citrus) Industrial Park in Yichang. This line is connected to a big-data platform for citrus, integrating real-time data across the citrus industry value chain, from planting to processing and sales.
"We are using modern technologies, such as the Internet of Things and big data, to connect the citrus production cycle and upgrade the industry,” said He Xianjun, marketing director of Cuilin Agricultural Group Yichang Co., Ltd, a key agricultural company in Yiling District which owns the park.
The intelligent citrus sorting line running at Cuilin Agricultural's National Modern Agriculture Industrial Park.The park's deep processing workshop uses advanced technology to transform oranges into essential oils.
"This high-purity essential oil is rich in nutrients and widely used in foods and cosmetics," said He.
Within the park, the citrus pith is processed into a dietary fiber, the pulp is turned into juice and beer, and the peel and residues are dried to produce spices and dried mandarin orange peel, which is a raw material for traditional Chinese medicine and snacks. Every part of the fruit is used.
The park is planned to span 1,400 mu (93 hectares) with an investment of 2 billion yuan (US$274 million). It includes processing and packaging facilities, e-commerce operations and cold chain logistics - effectively covering all aspects of the industry chain.
So far this year, the park has traded 300,000 tons of citrus, processed more than 200,000 tons of citrus and stored 150,000 tons, with an output value of nearly 1.2 billion yuan.
After the park is fully put into operation, it is expected to process 500,000 tons of citrus and trade 1 million tons of fruit per year. Its annual output value is expected to reach 5 billion yuan and 250 million yuan in profit tax, boosting local fruit farmers' incomes by 400 million yuan annually.
