As spring plowing sweeps across northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, a quiet agricultural revolution is unfolding in its tomato fields. Farmers in Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture are leveraging China's domestically developed BeiDou satellite navigation system to streamline the transplantation of 120,000 mu (8,000 hectares) of tomatoes – a hallmark crop of the region.
Automated machinery equipped with BeiDou's precision positioning now glides along pre-programmed routes, maintaining uniform spacing between seedlings with millimeter-level accuracy. This technological leap has transformed traditional farming practices, boosting efficiency while reducing labor costs and resource waste.
The integration of space technology with agriculture highlights China's growing focus on smart farming solutions. For global agritech observers and investors, Xinjiang's tomato fields offer a compelling case study of how satellite systems can enhance food production scalability in arid regions.
Local agricultural experts note that consistent plant spacing enabled by BeiDou not only optimizes growth conditions but also facilitates subsequent mechanized harvesting. As the region positions itself as a key player in Asia's agricultural tech sector, this innovation underscores broader trends in modernizing traditional industries through strategic technological investment.
