Working the land becomes less arduous as automation rate rises

Lyu Zhenbo was once famous in his village as the farmer with the straightest rows of crops. Now, though, he cannot compete with the guidance systems fitted on modern agricultural machinery.

"I used to farm with cattle," said the 57-year-old from the eastern province of Shandong. "The days of toiling on the land have gone. Handling a combine is just like driving a car. Farming has become much easier with the help of machines."

For Lyu, farming is now less arduous and more enjoyable than he ever expected when he bought his first walking tractor 40 years ago.