Hegang City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province is finding success in agriculture by merging smart technology with traditional farming techniques, even as historic snowfall has blanketed the region so far this year.
Local greenhouses, like those at the Yibai Jia Agricultural Demonstration Park, are equipped with automated temperature and humidity controls and unmanned snow removal systems. These advancements help prevent losses and maintain crop quality during the harsh winter months.
"In these greenhouses, we use smart controllers to manage temperature, monitor humidity, and measure sunlight levels throughout the day. Based on these data, we adjust heating and watering precisely to meet the plants' needs," said Chu Chunbao, technical manager of the Yibai Jia Agricultural Demonstration Park.
Hegang is situation in the northeastern part of Heilongjiang Province, which is ranked top in China for area of agricultural land, and also occupies the nation's top spot for the area for food cultivation.
However, in Hegang, winter temperatures can fall below zero degrees Celsius for up to six months, occasionally dipping to negative 30 degrees. In the past, frequent snowstorms made agricultural production particularly challenging.
"Previously, heavy snow often caused greenhouses to collapse. Now, with this modern system, we can remove snow automatically and ensure stable production," said Chen Guifen, a worker at the park.
At a family farm nearby, traditional greenhouses that rely more on manual work still play a significant role.
"We reinforce the greenhouses before snowstorms and manually clear the snow afterward. We ensure production remains unaffected," said Liu Huaiqing, who is working for the Shisanmu Family Farm.
"After heavy snowfall, we focus on increasing ventilation and heating. These methods help minimize delays in plant growth and harvesting," said the farm owner Lei Li.
Despite their simplicity, these traditional methods have proven to be effective. Besides strawberries, the farm grows flowers year-round, including popular varieties like roses and lilies. During the long winter, residents can still enjoy fresh flowers -- something unimaginable a decade ago.
Hegang is also innovating agricultural models, such as using waste from chicken farms to produce organic fertilizers. This fertilizer is delivered through underground pipes to support vegetable growth, which enhances productivity while promoting sustainability.
Northeast China city combines smart technology, traditional techniques to boost agriculture amid harsh winter
