Drones revolutionize Yichang farming

By Tan Maolin.

Yichang now operates over 1,100 agricultural drones, which have been instrumental in enhancing farming efficiency and productivity.

Initially used for crop protection, these drones now play a vital role in seeding, product transportation, fruit trees care, and emergency disaster relief. From 2022 to 2024, various types of drones have patrolled over 2.2 million mu (147,000 hectares) of field for crop protection, planted seeds across 380,000 mu, and transported more than 700,000 tons of citrus.

During a demonstration on March 10, drone operator Tan Longfei showcased how drones monitor navel orange orchards in Guojiaba Town. Tan was previously working in drone photography in other cities. He returned after recognizing the potential of the low-altitude economy in his hometown. "During peak harvest seasons, our team transported over 20,000 kilograms of oranges per day using drones," Tan said.

To support this growing industry, the Yichang government has introduced regulations, including standardizing drone pilot training and certification, establishing a registration system, overseeing drone operations, and encouraging companies to invest in research and development to enhance drone safety and reliability. 

Jie Xingwei contributed to this story.