For more than 10,000 years the fertile soil of Zhanjiang has been worked to grow crops. In that time, new equipment and ways of farming have been in constant development, whether it be the introduction of cast iron plows during the Spring and Autumn Period (722-481BC), or the ultra-modern tools of today.

The Zhanjiang ASEAN Agriculture Trade Fair was held earlier in June and gave an insight into the latest technologies and techniques in agriculture.

Smart agriculture management systems are one of the latest ways for farmers to get the biggest, fastest, and efficient yield of their crops using the latest technology.

Xing Yilong, a young fruit and vegetables farmer from Xuwen, uses the system. "There are sensors in the soil which telling us exactly when the crops need nutrients," says Xing. "All of the operations, such as watering and measuring nutrient levels can be carried out remotely."

Xing Yilong inspects his banana trees. [Photo Provided to China Daily]

Xing can even tend to his crops growing at another base 1,000 miles away in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, using a customizable app on his mobile phone.

"The system really helps," says Xing. "Thanks to it, the base in Xuwen yields more than before and the management costs in Nanning reduce, saving us approximately 3 million yuan ($435,855) every year."

Even though the area suffered a severe drought last May, causing wide-range damage to local agriculture, Xing's crops remained unaffected thanks to adjustments he made in the management system.

More and more farmers are upgrading their equipment and techniques, as well as converting to integrated crop management systems in order to get the most out of their land.

Wei Hongguang, Party Secretary of Zhanjiang, encouraged ecological agricultural development during his visit to experimental bases in Zhanjiang this October.

Wei Hongguang, Party Secretary of Zhanjiang visits agriculture bases and gives guidance for ecological agricultural development in Suixi county of Zhanjiang on Oct 22. [Photo by Lang Shuchen/gdzjdaily.com.cn]

In Suixi county in the north of the Leizhou Peninsula, farmers have pioneered pollution-free cultivation, which is integrated with finance, internet, and tourism. In its latest pilot project, it enables customers to scan a code on any agricultural product to find out information about the whole cultivation process from planting, growing, and harvesting, to storage, and logistics.