Shandong district empowers rural development with smart agriculture

 Loach cultivated in a land-based barrel. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In Chayekou town, Laiwu district, Jinan, efforts to advance loach farming are forging a new path toward rural vitalization.

The town has embraced the Zoomlion smart agriculture development project, utilizing a land-based high-density farming approach within enclosed barrels. Each 28-square-meter farming pool can sustain 2,000 kilograms of loach, a 15-fold increase compared to traditional outdoor pond farming.

"Equipped with monitoring devices for pH levels and oxygen content, each barrel — over 120 in total — has enabled cost reductions through scientific management," said Xie Yuchun, general manager of Zoomlion Smart Agriculture Technology Development (Shandong) Co Ltd.

Relying on the smart farming management platform, staff can monitor real-time data at each monitoring point, ensuring a clear, precise, and well-managed loach farming process.

With effective management and top-notch quality, loach from this region has successfully penetrated the South Korean market. "We currently have 60 land-based barrels, making it the largest scale project of its kind in Jinan. As of now, 90,000 kilograms of loach have been exported to South Korea, with very positive feedback." Xie explained.

Next, the company plans to develop cherry cultivation, creating a demonstration base integrating aquaculture and fruit planting. A modern agricultural industrial park integrating fruit picking, green farming, sightseeing tourism, and agricultural product processing and sales is about to take shape. (Edited by Li Weiwei)