On a stretch of deep-purple shale soil in Suining, Sichuan Province, farmers once grew only daikon and potatoes. Today, thanks to a crew of Gen Z digital agri-tech enthusiasts, the land is bursting with glossy tomatoes 🍅 and juicy watermelons 🍉.
Inside a state-of-the-art greenhouse built last year, a group of early-20s instructors leads training sessions for middle-aged village farmers. Locals now call them the "Gen Z Farming Class."
Turning tech into harvests
Before planting, the team faced a nutrient-poor challenge: low organic matter in the soil. “You can't grow high-quality vegetables here without upgrading what’s underground,” says Bao Wen, the group’s leader and an agricultural digital technician.
To boost soil health, they introduced biochar and microbial mixtures—organic materials that act like superfood for soil microbes, improving nutrient retention and structure. Sensors buried in the ground monitor moisture and pH in real time, sending data to their smartphones. Farmers learn to adjust irrigation and natural fertilizers based on live readings.
Bridging generations with tech
These tech-savvy Gen Zers, many armed with degrees in biology and digital agriculture, have turned the greenhouse into a hands-on classroom. They show farmers how to:
- Use smartphone apps to track plant growth 📱
- Automate watering with smart valves 💧
- Analyze data dashboards for yield forecasts 📊
The result? Harvests have tripled, and local incomes are on the rise. Village youth, inspired by the project, are exploring agri-tech startups and digital agriculture apps.
A model for Asia’s rural future
As urban readers in South Asia and Southeast Asia, we know how powerful a smartphone can be. Here’s a reminder: that same power is reshaping fields in China. Whether you’re dreaming of planting vertical farms in Bengaluru or drone-sprayed orchards in Manila, the Gen Z Farming Class shows what happens when tech meets tradition. 🌍✨
It’s proof that even the toughest soil—digital or real—can bloom with the right mix of data, biology, and community spirit. Are you ready to farm smart?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
