China produces close to 350 mn tonnes of fruit every year—around a third of the global output.

China produces close to 350 mn tonnes of fruit every year—around a third of the global output

With domestic demand on the rise, especially from the expanding middle and lower-middle classes, improving fruit production through technology has become a national priority.

The government’s “2024–28 Four-Year Smart Agriculture Plan” encourages the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence, big data, satellite navigation (Beidou), and national agricultural data systems to boost food security. Farms are now using a combination of precision agriculture, automation, and sensor technologies linked to IoT networks for real-time monitoring and control.

In Guangdong and Maoming, 5G-enabled sensors monitor key variables like soil moisture, pH levels, temperature, and pest presence. This data is used to automatically manage irrigation and fertilisation. Companies like Nongbo Innovation and Haisheng Group have introduced IoT systems that assign QR codes to individual trees, improving traceability from farm to consumer.

China also makes use of more than 200 agricultural drones for surveying and spraying. Firms such as XAG, FJ Dynamics, and EAVision are developing smart robots capable of autonomous driving, spraying, and harvesting. Trials are underway on robotic pruning platforms that use machine learning and computer vision to work on apple trees, grapevines, and cherry orchards. With LiDAR-camera fusion, these systems can identify fruit with millimetre accuracy, enabling precise automated harvesting. At China Agricultural University, researchers have created AI-powered smart glasses with augmented reality to help identify diseases, guide pruning, and reduce human error.

Blueberry farming has seen major growth, increasing more than tenfold in the past decade. By 2024, China had over 80 hectares in cultivation, producing over 500 tonnes, making it Asia’s largest blueberry producer and one of the biggest globally. Shandong has bred eight new varieties that ripen earlier, resist disease better, and yield 10% more. AI and big data are being used to speed up breeding through high-throughput phenotyping.

In Huaining, Anhui, smart greenhouses use IoT systems to automate climate and soil conditions. Just one operator can manage tens of thousands of plants using mobile monitoring, bringing harvests forward by two months and doubling yield compared to open fields. In Qidong, Jiangsu, a 21.3-hectare high-tech farm with controlled CO₂ levels and IoT sensors brings in around 200 mn yuan (US$28 mn) annually with only three workers. Langxi, also in Anhui, has 3.3 hectares of greenhouse blueberries with full 5G control for irrigation and nutrition via mobile devices.

Research is ongoing into drones that use the YOLO computer vision model to detect fruit and bushes, improving yield forecasts, sampling, and logistics.

By 2030, China’s blueberry acreage is expected to reach 120 hectares with production surpassing 900 tonnes. The country is also eyeing expansion into value-added products like juice, powder, and cosmetics, as well as increased exports to Europe and the Middle East.

Enhance farming with nitrogen-fixing techniques.

BioConsortia, Inc., a pioneer in microbial solutions for sustainable agriculture, has announced a fresh US$15mn funding round led by long-standing investors, including Otter Capital and affiliated funds

Marcus Meadows-Smith, CEO of BioConsortia,“This investment, one of a series of recurring financings from our internal investors, reflects their deep confidence in BioConsortia’s science, strategy, and commercial momentum. “Their investments total US$95mn and bring BioConsortia to this exciting moment in the company’s history.”

The latest funding will accelerate the global rollout of Always-N, the company’s next-generation nitrogen-fixing seed treatment for industrial corn. It will also support the continued development of BioConsortia’s microbial research platform at its Davis, California headquarters.

Designed to reduce farmers’ dependence on synthetic fertilisers, Always-N allows for consistent crop yields while lowering environmental impact. Applied as a seed treatment, it is the only nitrogen-fixing biofertiliser that combines advanced gene editing with a shelf life of more than two years.

“Synthetic nitrogen fertilisers are essential to modern agriculture, but their overuse comes at a high environmental cost,” Meadows-Smith explained. “With Always-N, we offer a powerful and sustainable alternative—backed by cutting-edge science and engineered for real-world performance.”

Roughly 50% of synthetic nitrogen applied to crops is lost to runoff or breaks down in the soil, releasing nitrous oxide—a greenhouse gas with 300 times the warming potential of carbon dioxide. As both regulatory and market pressures increase for more climate-smart farming practices, interest in sustainable solutions like Always-N is rapidly rising.

After a successful commercial launch in New Zealand in 2024, Always-N is preparing to expand into broader markets across the Americas. BioConsortia has partnered with key global players, including The Mosaic Company, to introduce the product into row crop systems. The latest investment will be used to scale up production, build product inventory, and enhance market reach in time for the next planting season.

Always-N is the result of BioConsortia’s proprietary research platform, which includes tools like Advanced Microbial Selection (AMS), GenExpress, and GenePro. These systems help discover, refine, and optimise beneficial microbes that improve nitrogen fixation, crop resilience, and product longevity.

Beyond Always-N, the company is advancing a strong pipeline of microbial biostimulants, fungicides, insecticides, and nematicides—all designed for long shelf life, ease of use, and reliable field performance.

Since its inception in 2014, BioConsortia’s solutions have shown proven effectiveness across different crop types, climates, and soils, offering farmers practical tools for more sustainable and productive agriculture.

As per the reports, 98.5 percent of cropland across the territory is now either damaged or inaccessible.

A new satellite-based analysis by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) has revealed an alarming collapse of agricultural capacity in the Gaza Strip.

According to the report, 98.5 percent of cropland across the territory is now either damaged, inaccessible, or both—leaving just 1.5 percent, or 232 hectares, available for cultivation. This marks a drastic drop from April 2025, when 4.6 percent of land (688 hectares) was cultivable.

With Gaza’s population exceeding two million, the sharp decline in cropland availability presents a dire picture of food insecurity. Satellite data also shows that 12.4 percent of farmland, though physically intact, cannot be accessed due to restrictions and designated “no-go” zones, limiting the ability of farmers to restart local food production.

This dramatic reduction is not just the result of conflict-related destruction, but also the wider collapse of essential farming infrastructure. Irrigation systems, farm equipment, roads, storage facilities, and market access have been either destroyed or rendered non-operational. The ongoing conflict, coupled with severe restrictions on humanitarian aid and movement, has made conditions nearly impossible for any form of agricultural recovery without urgent external intervention.

Rein Paulsen, director of FAO's emergencies and resilience said,“To prevent further suffering, we need to prioritize urgent humanitarian access and invest in restoring Gaza’s local agrifood production systems, markets, and infrastructure. This includes both regaining safe access to farmland and rehabilitating land and assets damaged by the conflict.” 

This assessment follows the recent alert from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), issued on July 29, warning that the worst-case famine scenario is currently underway in Gaza. The situation is deteriorating rapidly. Data shows that 39 percent of the population are now going days without any food, while over 500,000 people – nearly a quarter of Gaza's residents – are facing famine-like conditions. The remainder of the population is also experiencing acute food insecurity, with many at emergency levels of hunger.

In light of the worsening crisis, FAO, WFP, and UNICEF are calling for an immediate and sustained ceasefire to halt the violence, enable the safe release of hostages, and allow life-saving humanitarian aid to reach all areas of Gaza. They stress the need for unhindered access through all available crossings, the revival of commercial supply chains to restock local markets, and the urgent protection of civilians and aid workers. Rebuilding health, water, and sewage infrastructure is also critical. Long-term stability will rely on investment in local food systems, revitalising bakeries, markets, and farming activities to support Gaza’s recovery.

Agritechnica 2025, the world's leading trade fair for agricultural machinery.

As climate change continues to impact global agriculture, regenerative farming is emerging as a viable solution to build climate resilience.

Agritechnica 2025, the world's leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, will place regenerative agriculture at the forefront, featuring a dedicated programme of expert discussions and international best-practice showcases.

Regenerative agriculture focuses on enhancing soil health through practices like reduced tillage, permanent soil cover, diverse crop rotations, and extensive cover cropping. These techniques are designed to stabilise soil functions, increase carbon storage, and improve water retention, all of which are crucial for maintaining productivity amid unpredictable weather patterns.

While regenerative agriculture doesn’t have a single, universally agreed-upon definition, its flexible framework allows farmers to incorporate individual practices gradually, making it adaptable to a wide range of agricultural contexts. This adaptability is especially important as the European Union pushes for reduced use of fertilisers and crop protection products, creating a need for more sustainable farming practices.

"Regenerative agriculture has become a global priority," says Dr. Bruno Görlach, Division Manager of Crop Production and Field Operations at DLG. "Farmers around the world are seeking practical solutions to climate-related challenges, and regenerative practices offer a flexible, science-based approach. At DLG, we’ve already taken action in Germany by offering a classification guide on the subject. The spotlight on soil health at Agritechnica 2025 is a further step in informing international farmers about the potential of regenerative systems and supporting their transition with technical expertise and practical know-how."

At Agritechnica 2025, the DLG will showcase its “Soil Health” Spotlight in Hall 24, where the Expert Stage “Smart Efficiency” will host discussions and case studies on regenerative practices. These sessions will bring together farmers, researchers, and industry experts to explore how regenerative systems can balance sustainability with productivity.

On November 11, during Agribusiness Day in Hall 24, a panel discussion will offer international perspectives on regenerative farming. Experts will share best-practice examples from around the world and address the practical challenges of implementing regenerative systems.

Agritechnica 2025, taking place from November 9 to 15 in Hannover, Germany, is expected to attract over 2,700 exhibitors and 430,000 visitors. DLG also highlights five internationally recognised principles of regenerative agriculture: minimising soil disturbance, maintaining permanent ground cover, practising diverse crop rotations, keeping living roots in the soil year-round, and integrating livestock. While these principles are not exclusive to DLG, the organisation is actively promoting them through its expert programming and outreach to farmers.